Mr. Hunt: To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners how many representations the Commissioners have received from parishes on alternative uses for churches during the last 12 months. [238022]
Sir Stuart Bell: Most proposals for alternative use do not attract representations. The Commissioners' Church Buildings (Uses and Disposals) Committee has received a total of 8 representations in the last 12 months. Three representations against proposals for alternative use were from individual parishioners. The remaining five representations - two from Parochial Church Councils and one from the local patronage board - were in favour of the proposals.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the honourable Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what the value of the Commissioners' investment portfolio was in each of the last five years. [238021]
Sir Stuart Bell: The Commissioners' fund was worth £3.9 billion at the end of 2003, £4.2 billion at the end of 2004, £4.8 billion at the end of 2005, £5.3 billion at the end of 2006 and £5.6 billion at the end of 2007.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many (a) page hits and (b) visitors the No. 10 website received in the 2007-08 financial year; [236650]
(2) what the cost of maintaining the No. 10 website was in 2007-08; and what it is expected to be in 2008-09. [236651]
The Prime Minister: As a result of accounting changes it is not possible to provide a single comparable figure for the running costs of the No. 10 website. However, the total cost of the digital communications unit, which includes the website, but also includes equipment, e-petitions, audio and visual production, and all other forms of digital communication and all costs associated with staffing was £527,800 for the financial year 2007-08.
During the financial year 2007-08 the No. 10 website received approximately 55 million page impressions from approximately 15 million unique users. Digital
communications have been upgraded to provide multiple new opportunities for enhanced communication with the public.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Prime Minister how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08. [237468]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Watson) today.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Prime Minister how many press releases have been issued by his Office in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238987]
The Prime Minister: The information requested is a matter of public record. Copies of Press Notices issued since 2000 by the Prime Minister’s Office have been made available on the No. 10 Website.
6. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales What recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on proposals to electrify the Bidston to Wrexham railway line. [238002]
Mr. David: My right hon. Friend has regular meetings with the First Minister to discuss a range of topics including transport links.
I myself visited the Bidston to Wrexham railway line last Friday and saw the potential benefits of electrification of the line.
7. Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on health provision for English patients in Wales. [238003]
Mr. David: Wales Office Ministers have regular discussions with UK and Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on a range of issues, including health.
Both UK and Assembly Governments are working in partnership to ensure the highest standard of services is delivered to people on both sides of the border.
11. Mr. Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on cross-border patients treated by Welsh GPs. [238007]
Mr. David: Wales Office Ministers have regular discussions with UK and Welsh Assembly Government Ministers on a range of issues, including health.
People accessing primary health care on both sides of the border can expect to receive the same high level of treatment from their GPs. The UK and Assembly Governments work collaboratively to ensure the highest standard of health service is delivered to people on both sides of the border.
8. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent assessment he has made of the state of the Welsh economy. [238004]
Mr. Paul Murphy: Through my work on the National Economic Council and the All Wales Economic Summit, I am in touch with economic developments at the heart of Government and directly from the people of Wales.
10. Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Minister on policy to mitigate the effects of the economic downturn on Wales; and if he will make a statement. [238006]
Mr. Paul Murphy: I am in regular contact with the First Minister. In addition to this, I attend the All Wales Economic Summit, which assists the development of Wales' strategy for riding out the downturn and developing further ways of supporting businesses and individuals in every part of Wales.
12. Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to extend digital inclusion to elderly people. [238008]
Mr. Paul Murphy: Last month I launched 'Delivering Digital Inclusion: An Action Plan for Consultation', with proposals for achieving greater digital inclusion. It is essential we maximise the potential of digital technologies to enrich the lives of elderly people. For instance, in the last year 40 per cent. of people using services in the UK Online centres were over the age of 55.
13. Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had on rural broadcasting provision in Wales. [238009]
Mr. David: My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet ministerial colleagues and Welsh Assembly government colleagues to discuss issues affecting Wales, including broadcasting and digital inclusion.
14. Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on defence expenditure in Wales. [238010]
Mr. David: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with UK Government Ministers on a range of issues affecting Wales, including on Defence matters, such as the Defence Training Academy.
The £11 billion investment in the Defence Training Academy at St. Athan together with the £635 million contract awarded to RAF Valley earlier this year to provide all UK's fast jet training shows the UK Government's continuing confidence in Wales' Defence capability.
15. John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the First Minister to discuss the Defence Technical Academy, St. Athan. [238011]
Mr. David: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the First Minister on a range of issues, including on the Defence Training Academy.
This £11 billion investment will provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs from 2013 and reinforces Wales' importance to UK defence.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months. [237478]
Mr. Paul Murphy: In the last 12 months my Department has spent:
£710.83 on Christmas cards;
£136 on trees (taken from sustainable forests) and energy saving Christmas tree lights.
My Department did not contribute to Christmas parties, but did host receptions in London and Cardiff for a total cost of £5,058.71.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in his Department in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238937]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The Wales Office was established in 1999. Records of sick absence are available only since 2004.
(a) Records of staff absence are not collated centrally, and information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
(b) Rates of sick absence with target rates in each year from April 2004 to March 2008 are:
| Rate of sick absence | Target rate year | |
| Note: The figure in 2007-08 is attributable to long term absences of two people. | ||
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on external consultancy in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239064]
Mr. Paul Murphy: Since its inception in July 1999, the Wales Office has spent the following on external consultants:
| £ | |
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many employees in his Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238973]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The Wales Office was only established in 1999. Records concerning early retirement are not available prior to April 2004.
| Number of staff taking early retirement | Total cost of early retirement on that year (£) | |
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year. [239091]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The Prime Minister publishes, on an annual basis, a list of the numbers and cost of special advisers. Information for 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008, Official Report, columns 99-101WS.
The salary costs for the press officers before 2005 could not be identified without disproportionate cost. Salary costs for each year since are:
| £ | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1485W—continued
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on (a) publicity and (b) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238941]
Mr. Paul Murphy: In 2006-07 my Department spent £17,240 on recruitment advertising. The Wales Office has incurred no other expenditure on advertising since it was formed in July 1999.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been in the last 12 months. [238178]
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239655]
Mr. Paul Murphy: During 2007-08 my Department has awarded a total of six non-pensionable bonuses to staff at a cost of £5,250.00.
The Wales Office does not provide information where individual staff could be identified. This is in line with Cabinet Office guidance.
Four of the bonuses were paid as part of the Ministry of Justice performance related pay award. The other two were awarded under the Wales Office special bonus scheme for specific tasks performed.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department uses Royal Mail as the primary company for sending its post, parcels and packaging. [238323]
Mr. Paul Murphy: Wales Office's external post is despatched via the Royal Mail.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238994]
Mr. Paul Murphy: The Wales Office was established in July 1999, since then the number of press releases has been:
| Number of press releases | |
In addition to these press notices ad-hoc statements are also issued to the media.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239652]
Mr. Paul Murphy: No tendering process has been cancelled by the Wales Office.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239053]
Mr. Paul Murphy: My Department has not conducted any focus groups or opinion polls since its creation in 1999, and does not plan to do so in the current year.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2008, Official Report, column 284W, on the electoral register, what assessment the Commission made of the level of over-registration in Great Britain. [239567]
Sir Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that it has made no estimate of the level of over-registration in Great Britain.
The Commission carried out a pilot study in London in 2007 to test various methodologies for measuring over-registration and under-registration. This work has informed the Commission's planned review of local electoral registers, which will include an assessment of over-registration in a small sample of local authority registers. This review is due to begin in early 2009.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission with reference to the evidence of the Electoral Commission to the Public Bill Committee on the Political Parties and Elections Bill, 6 November 2008, Official Report, column 56, whether the Commission plans to publish an estimate of the administrative costs of implementing (a) the existing legislation and (b) the proposed new procedures. [239568]
Sir Peter Viggers:
The Electoral Commission informs me that, as outlined in its memorandum to the public bill committee (PPE 04), which is available on the committee's webpage, the existing legislation on the regulated period for candidate expenses is relatively
simple to administer, and as this work forms only a small part of the Commission's advice, guidance and compliance work, the cost of implementing it is not significant.
The Commission further informs me that, in its consideration of the overall costs of the Political Parties and Elections (PPE) Bill, it took into account the likely costs of administering the proposed amendments to the regulated period for candidates and considers that it should be able to re-prioritise work from within its existing resources to develop, consult on and publish any guidance relevant to this provision, at no additional cost.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruit to be served by her Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers. [239547]
Mr. Khan [holding answer 25 November 2008]: The information requested is not collected.
The Government will shortly be publishing a report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by Government Departments and also supplied to hospitals and prisons under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain and National Offender Management Service (previously HM Prison Service) between 1 April 2007 and 31( )March 2008.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/awareness.htm.
Mr. Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the annual change in the level of council tax in each district council in the East Midlands was in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. [238076]
John Healey: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 29 October 2007, Official Report, column 648W.
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what support her Department gives to community groups to set up and run credit unions. [239490]
Mr. Khan: The Government are currently consulting on proposals for a Legislative Reform Order to amend credit union legislation. One of the proposals, on allowing credit unions to admit corporate bodies or unincorporated bodies into their membership if adopted will enable community groups to become part of credit unions.
Communities and Local Government does not provide direct support specifically for credit unions. Some New Deal for Communities partnerships, which are directly funded by the Department, do support and work with credit unions in their areas.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) her Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since her Department's inception; what the target rates set for her Department are in each case; and if she will make a statement. [238932]
Mr. Khan: Information on absence for 2004, 2005, 2006-07 for the Department for Communities and Local Government, its agencies and non departmental public bodies can be found on the civil service website:
http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/statistics/sickness.asp.
The sickness absence data for 2007-08, which incorporates the Department, its agencies and non departmental public bodies shows that an average of 6.7 working days was lost.
The Department does not keep any central records which record the rates of other absences, which are not sickness related and to establish the rates would represent a disproportionate cost.
The Department does not have a specific target rate of absence to achieve. However, through its health and wellbeing programme the Department is aiming to reduce its current rate of sickness absence to an average of 5.4 working days lost per annum.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many civil servants have been employed by each of her Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. [239101]
Mr. Khan: For information on the number of civil servants employed by the Department and its predecessor bodies, I refer the hon. Member to the annual reports. These are published as Command Papers and held by the House of Commons Library. Each of the reports will have a Command Paper number as detailed in the following table.
| Annual reports | ||
| Command Paper | Department | Report |
The most recent CLG annual reports are available on the departmental website at
http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/about/howwework/corporatereports/reportsaccounts/annualreports/
A figure for non-departmental bodies (NDPBs) could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
The Department's executive NDPBs are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office ‘Public Bodies’ publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1490W—continued
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many employees in her Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238963]
Mr. Khan: The following table shows the number of staff who took early retirement from Communities and Local Government, and its predecessors, in the last five financial years along with the associated costs.
| Central Department | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on employing press and communications officers in (a) her Department, (b) its non-departmental public bodies and (c) its agencies in each of the last three years. [239681]
Mr. Khan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda) to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Julia Goldsworthy) on 17 July 2008, Official Report, column 580W.
Information on agencies and non-departmental bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by her Department in each year since its inception; and at what cost in each year. [239081]
Mr. Khan: The Government publish on an annual basis the number and the pay bands of special advisers in each Department. I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my noble Friend, Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 22 July 2008, Official Report, House of Lords, column 150WS.
For the number and cost of press officers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 24 November 2008, Official Report, column 1129W.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which keywords or terms her Department has monitored in the media in each of the last three years. [239733]
Mr. Khan: The Department has a contract with an external media agency (Durrants) to search for and cut relevant national newspaper items for inclusion in a daily cuttings pack. A list of keywords is made available to the agency for this purpose. This list is reviewed and updated as necessary on a regular basis. The current list used by the agency has been deposited in the Library, each keyword is accompanied by instructions that help editors only cut relevant items.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in her Department has been in the last 12 months. [238166]
Mr. Khan: Special advisers have no entitlement to an allocated Government car. As temporary civil servants, their travel arrangements are made in accordance with the rules and guidance set out in the Civil Service Management Code and the Department’s staff handbook.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what bonuses were paid by her Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239672]
Mr. Khan: I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda) gave to the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr. Hammond) on 2 June 2008, Official Report, column 538W.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether her Department uses the Royal Mail as the primary company for sending its post, parcels and packages. [238120]
Mr. Khan: With the exception of international mail, the Department for Communities and Local Government currently use Royal Mail for the majority of postal services. International mail accounts for less than 1 per cent. of all departmental post and is administered by Corporate Mailing Services (CMS) who are a private company sub-contracted to our facilities management services provider.
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 3 November 2008, Official Report, columns 119-20W, and to the hon. Member for Beckenham of 6 October 2008, Official Report, column 303W, on departmental procurement, what payments were made to each of the individual organisations listed in the table placed in the Library during the period when the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister existed as a Government Department. [235870]
Mr. Khan: A table has been placed in the Library showing payments made since 5 May 2006, to those organisations previously listed, in respect of expenses incurred by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office. The table shows the date on which the expenditure was recorded on the SAP accounting system.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether there has been any nugatory cost to her Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239688]
Mr. Khan: The Department does not hold this information centrally and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre has had no cancelled tenders in the last three years.
Fire Service college has only cancelled one tender in the last three years for the National Leadership programme in October 2006. The abortive expenditure is estimated at £2,500 in staff costs.
Planning Inspectorate and Ordnance Survey would only be able to supply this information at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much she estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if she will make a statement. [239043]
Mr. Khan: The data is not held centrally in the format requested. The information relating previous years is not readily available. Compiling the information would incur disproportionate costs.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent estimate she has made of the number of empty non-residential properties in each local authority area. [240017]
Mr. Iain Wright: The information requested is not held centrally.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many vacant retail units there were in each principal seaside town in each year for which figures are available; and what proportion of the total retail units in each town this represents. [238919]
John Healey: The information requested is not held centrally.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many empty properties there were in each (a) ward and (b) lower layer super output area of each principal seaside town in England in each year for which figures are available, ranked from highest to lowest (i) number of properties and (ii) percentage of total housing stock in each town. [239005]
John Healey: Vacant dwellings statistics at ward level, for 2003, 2004 and 2005 are published by the Office for National Statistics in the Housing domain of the Neighbourhood Statistics Service website and can be downloaded at.
http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/datasetList.do?JSAllowed=true&Function=&%24ph=60&Current PageId=60&step=l&CurrentTreeIndex=-1&searchString= &datasetFamilyId=l618&Next.x=10&Next.y=8
Lower super output area level statistics are not currently available.
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many empty homes there are in (a) Suffolk and (b) the East of England. [240000]
Mr. Iain Wright: The following table shows the number of long-term empty dwellings and total empty dwellings in Suffolk and the East of England region as at October 2007.
| Number of long-term empty dwellings (empty for more than six months) | Total number of empty dwellings | |
| Source: Council Taxbase and Council Taxbase Supplementary (CTB1 and CTB1S) returns from local authorities. | ||
Those dwellings vacant for less than six months are more likely to be empty for a short period following a sale and are seen as ‘transactional’ vacant dwellings and are thus a characteristic of the housing market.
It is therefore sometimes more appropriate to look at long term vacancies rather than the total number of vacant dwellings.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) when each regional fire control room outside London is planned to come into operational use; [230313]
(2) what the timescale is for the introduction of regional fire control rooms; and which control rooms will be operational before June 2010. [230541]
Mr. Khan: Our current assumption is that the first three Regional Control Centres in the North East, East Midlands and South West will cut-over in summer 2010 and that the full system will be in place by spring 2012.
As with any project of this nature, we will only have certainty about the timing of these later stages of the project once earlier stages have been completed successfully.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the latest Part 1 business case for FiReControl, what the (a) current control room costs and (b) forecast regional control centre running costs are in each government office region in estimated cash prices during the periods in which the control rooms will go live. [230542]
Mr. Khan:
Current control room costs and forecast RCC running costs are detailed in the following table. Where a region is forecast to incur a net cost,
Communities and Local Government has committed to making a resilience payment.
| £000 | ||||
| Current control room costs | Forecast RCC running costs | Cost/saving | Resilience payment | |
| Notes: 1. All figures in financial year 2006-07 prices 2. Resilience payments subject to periodic review | ||||
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her most recent estimate is of the cost of delivery of the FiReControl project. [230916]
Mr. Khan: My statement on 26 November 2008 gives the estimated overall costs for delivery of the FiReControl Project as £380 million.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1496W—continued
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent to date on external consultants working on the FiRe Control project. [238687]
Mr. Khan: To the end of October 2008 the cost of consultancy services for the FiRe Control project totalled £41.8 million.
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects the FiRe Control project to be implemented in full (a) nationally and (b) in the East of England region. [238683]
Mr. Khan: Our current planning assumption is that the East of England will achieve cut-over in spring 2012. I refer the hon. Member to my statement on 26 November 2008 about the FiRe Control project.
As with any project of this nature, we will only have certainty about the timing of these later stages of the project once earlier stages have been completed successfully.
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department’s original estimated date for the full implementation of the FiRe Control project was (a) nationally and (b) in the East of England region. [238684]
Mr. Khan: The original estimated date for the full implementation of the FiRe Control project was September 2011. The East of England was in the final wave, and so expected to cut over to the new arrangements at that date 2011.
For further information on FiRe Control costs and delivery timetable I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 26 November 2008.
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent on the FiRe Control project (a) nationally and (b) in the East of England region to date. [238685]
Mr. Khan: To the end of October 2008 £133.5 million has been spent on the FiRe Control project. This includes support to the East of England of £3.3 million in grant funding.
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department’s original budget was for the implementation of the FiRe Control project (a) nationally and (b) in the East of England region. [238686]
Mr. Khan: The FiReControl Business Case Part 2: the National Case which will be published today forecasts that the estimated current costs for the delivery of the FiReControl Project as £380 million. This compares to about £340 million contained in the Full Business Case version 1.0. published in 2007. The East of England has received £3.3 million in grant funding to support work required to transfer control room services to the new Regional Control Centre.
For further information on FiReControl costs and delivery timetable I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 26 November 2008.
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the effect of the costs of operating the South West Regional Fire Control Centre is expected to be on Dorset Fire Authority’s budget. [232273]
Mr. Khan [holding answer 3 November 2008]: In the “FiReControl Business Case Part One” the South West regions is forecast to make as saving of £64,000, compared to the cost of where a region is forecast to incur a net cost as a consequence of the FiReControl project, Communities and Local Government has committed to making a payment to meet the shortfall. It is for the authorities within the region to decide how shared costs are apportioned between them.
For further information on FiReControl costs and delivery timetable I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 26 November 2008.
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations she has received requesting a delay in the entry into operation of the South West Regional Fire Control Centre; and if she will make a statement. [232274]
Mr. Khan [holding answer 3 November 2008]: I have received no formal representations requesting a delay to the operation of the South West Regional Control Centre. We work closely with the fire and rescue services in the South West, as in other regions, to enable effective implementation of the FiRe Control Project.
I refer the hon. Member to my statement of 26 November 2008 about the FiRe Control project.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department originally budgeted for the creation of the South West regional fire control room; what its current anticipated cost is; and what estimate her Department has made of future savings which will be made from the regional fire control room project in the South West. [235979]
Mr. Khan: The current estimated cost of operating the south west regional control centre is £6,992,000 per annum when the entire network is fully up and running. In the south west it is forecast that there will be a saving of £64,000 per year compared to the costs of running the existing separate control rooms.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what date she expects the South West regional fire control room to become fully operational. [235981]
Mr. Khan: Our current planning assumption is that the South West region will achieve cut-over in summer 2010. I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 26 November 2008 about the FiRe Control project.
As with any project of this nature, we will only have certainty about the timing of these later stages of the project once earlier stages have been completed successfully.
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the monthly cost of maintaining the Regional Fire Control Centre at Taunton was in the latest period for which figures are available. [238999]
Mr. Khan [holding answer 24 November 2008]: The cost of the South West Regional Control Centre for October 2008 was £140,839.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of households (a) displaced from their homes and (b) living in caravans as a result of the floods in (i) summer 2007 and (ii) September 2008. [239608]
John Healey: Estimates from the Association of British Insurers indicate that approximately 17,000 households were displaced by the floods in summer 2007. We do not have data on the number of those households who moved into caravans immediately. As at December 2007 we estimated that around 2,300 households were living in caravans.
The floods of September 2008, although very serious for those affected, were not of a scale which required national co-ordination of the recovery effort and this process is being managed effectively at the local level. In Castle Morpeth, which was by far the most badly affected area, 906 households were affected by the September flooding in some way, though of course many of those did not have to move out of their homes. The council contacted every household and continues to monitor the situation closely offering advice and information during the recovery period.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of people who will be living in temporary accommodation on 25 December 2008 as a result of the floods in (a) summer 2007 and (b) September 2008. [239609]
John Healey: Returns from affected local authorities indicate a quickening in the pace at which displaced households are returning to their homes following the floods of summer 2007. On a like-for-like basis, local authority data shows that the number of displaced households fell by about 30 per cent. between the end of June and beginning of September and we estimate the figures have fallen by around 36 per cent. between the beginning of September and 24 October. Those living wholly or partially in caravans halved between the end of June and the beginning of September and, where we have updated data, the number had at least halved again by 24 October. Furthermore, the figures we have from local authorities show that all council and housing association tenants are now home.
We will publish more up-to-date figures on those still displaced by the summer 2007 flooding as soon as we are able. I continue to work closely with local authorities and the insurance industry to ensure that the momentum in getting people back home is maintained.
The floods of September 2008, although very serious for those affected, were not of a scale which required national co-ordination of the recovery effort and this process is being managed at the local level.
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people were recorded as homeless in Suffolk in each of the last five years. [240002]
Mr. Iain Wright: Information about English local authorities' actions under the homelessness legislation (Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996) is collected quarterly at local authority level. Local authorities within the Suffolk are as follows; Babergh, Forest Heath, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk, St Edmundsbury, Suffolk Coastal, and Waveney.
Data collected includes the number of households accepted by local housing authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need,
and therefore owed a main homelessness duty (to secure that suitable accommodation is available). If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority must secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available.
Information is also collected on the number of people who sleep rough—that is, those who are literally roofless on a single night.
Summary tables showing the total number of households (a) accepted as owed a main homelessness duty (b) in temporary accommodation for each year since 1997-98, and (c) rough sleeper estimates for each year since 1998, for each local authority, have been placed in the Library. For convenience an extract of the last five years for the local authorities within Suffolk can be found in the following tables.
| Table A: Number of households accepted as owed a main homelessness duty during the year, 2003-04—2007-08 | |||||
| Local authority | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-7 | 2007-08 |
| Table B: Number of households in temporary accommodation( 1) , March 2004 to March 2008 | |||||
| Local authority | 2003-0 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Table C: Number o f rough sleepers (persons), 200 - 07, mid-year estimates local authority | |||||
| Local authority | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| (1) Data not reported. | |||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1500W—continued
John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department is taking to ensure support is given to low income households facing possible repossession of their homes. [238801]
Mr. Iain Wright: The Government are determined to do everything possible to ensure all families facing repossession have the chance to remain in their homes, and that repossession is always the last resort.
We are working with a range of stakeholders including mortgage lenders, local authorities, the courts and third sector debt and advice agencies to ensure that appropriate support is available for households in financial difficulty, at the time they need it.
On 2 September we announced plans for a mortgage rescue scheme targeted at the most vulnerable households facing repossession. This is in addition to enhanced homelessness prevention work with local authorities, funding for court desks to provide free legal representation for people attending repossessions hearings and additional support for advice services for households in financial difficulty.
Additionally, as part of this week's pre-Budget report the Government announced further support for homeowners and households in difficulty. This includes
changes to regulation of second charge mortgage market; consulting on the sale and rent back market; establishing a lending panel to bring together Government, regulators, lenders, trade bodies and consumer groups; and protecting vulnerable homeowners in financial difficulty by extending the mortgage rescue scheme to cover second charge lending.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much social housing stock each local authority in the ceremonial county of Devon holds; how many people were waiting for housing in each authority on the latest date for which figures are available; and what percentage of each authority's housing stock this figure represents, ranked from highest to lowest. [239961]
Mr. Iain Wright: Information on the number of social dwellings owned by local authorities is published on the Communities and Local Government website in Table 116 at:
http://www.commumties.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/140882.xls.
Information on the number of social dwellings owned by Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) is published on the Communities and Local Government website in Table 115 at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/140879.xls
Copies of the tables have been deposited in the Library.
The number of social dwellings by local authority in Devon as at 1 April 2007 for local authority stock and 31 March 2007 for RSL stock is given in the following table.
| S ocial dwellings by local authority in Devon: 2007 | |
| Number | |
| Source: Local Authority Dwellings—as reported by Local Authorities through the Communities and Local Government Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return (HSSA). RSL stock—as reported by Registered Social Landlords through the Housing Corporation's Regulatory Statistical Returns. Rounded to the nearest 10. | |
Local authorities in England report the number of households on their housing waiting list as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns. Where local authorities and registered social landlords operate a common register, households registered with the RSL will be included in the data. However, registered social landlords are independent bodies and can keep their own waiting lists. Information on the number of households on local authorities' waiting lists is published on the Communities and Local Government website in Table 600 at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/144458.xls
Copies of this table have been deposited in the Library.
The number of households on local authorities' waiting lists for each local authority and as a percentage of all households in Devon in 2007 is given in the following table.
| Numbers of households on local authorities' housing waiting in Devon: 2007 | ||
| Number of households on the waiting list (excludes households looking for transfers) | Percentage of all households( 1) | |
| (1). Latest available mid-year household estimates for the districts used i.e. 2004 Note: As reported by local authorities. Excludes households looking for transfers. Rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Communities and Local Government Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return (HSSA) | ||
The size of the waiting list is not an indicator of absolute need; it is only useful as a broad indicator of housing demand in an area. Not everyone on the waiting list is necessarily in urgent housing need. The waiting list includes those who consider social housing as their preferred or one of a number of housing options, and those who decide to get onto the waiting list ladder before they need or want to move house.
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average period of time was for a household to be provided with suitable housing after joining a socially provided housing waiting list in Suffolk in each of the last five years; and how many households were on each socially provided housing waiting list in Suffolk in each of the last five years. [240001]
Mr. Iain Wright: Information for average length of time on a housing waiting list is not collected centrally.
Local authorities in England report the number of households on their housing waiting list as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns. Where local authorities and registered social landlords operate a common register, households registered with the RSL will be included in the data. However, registered social landlords are independent bodies and can keep their own waiting lists. Information on the number of households on local authorities' waiting lists is published on the Communities and Local Government website in Table 600 at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/144458.xls
Copies of this table have been deposited in the Library of the House.
The number of households on local authorities' waiting lists for Suffolk in each of the last five years is given in the following table.
| Numbers of households on local authorities' housing waiting: 2003-2007 | |||||
| Number of households on the waiting list (excludes households looking for transfers) | |||||
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
| Note: As reported by local authorities. Excludes households looking for transfers. Rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Communities and Local Government Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return (HSSA) | |||||
The size of the waiting list is not an indicator of absolute need; it is only useful as a broad indicator of housing demand in an area. Not everyone on the waiting list is necessarily in urgent housing need. The waiting list includes those who consider social housing as their preferred or one of a number of housing options, and those who decide to get onto the waiting list ladder before they need or want to move house.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of the housing stock in each of the principal seaside towns has been assessed as (a) meeting and (b) not meeting the Decent Homes standard. [238460]
Mr. Iain Wright: The information requested is not collected centrally.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment her Department has made of the relationship between opportunities for regeneration and redevelopment in seaside towns and levels of public housing below the decent homes standard in such towns. [238461]
Mr. Iain Wright: Regeneration schemes are one option a local authority use to help it deliver decent homes. The role and use of such schemes is a matter for local decision making and Communities and Local Government has made no assessment of the relationship between opportunities for regeneration and redevelopment in seaside towns and levels of public housing below the decent homes standard.
The Department's report ‘England's Seaside Towns—A Benchmarking Study’ published in early November present findings on the socio-economic conditions of the principal seaside towns in England. It highlights considerable variations exists between seaside towns, with a number faring markedly better than others and some faring better than England as a whole. The report can be found at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/citiesandregions/englishseasidetowns
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress her Department has made in implementing its statutory duty to co-operate in local area agreements (LAAs) in respect of those LAAs which cover principal seaside towns. [239977]
John Healey: While it is still too soon to make a definitive judgment on the impact of the duty to co-operate, early indications are that LAAs have led to a strengthening of partnership working in local areas. Further evidence will be considered as part of CLG's ongoing work programme on LAAs into 2009, which will include seaside towns. All LAAs are publicly available on the IDeA website at: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do? pageId=8399555 and contain details of partners that are signed up to LAA targets.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how much additional funding the Government has allocated to local authorities for enforcement of sections 198 and 101A of the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988; and how much of that sum local authorities have allocated to trading standards departments for that purpose; [238354]
(2) what proportion of the increase in the revenue support grant for 2008-09 intended for the enforcement of sections 198 and 107A of the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988 she expects local authorities to allocate to their trading standards departments. [238355]
John Healey: The Government provided a specific grant of £4.191 million in 2007-08 for the enforcement of section 198 and 107A of the Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988 by English authorities. The new burden associated with these additional powers was taken into account in the spending plans for local government as announced in the comprehensive spending review 2007. Local authorities are responsible for decisions on their spending priorities.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1504W—continued
Dr. Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will revise her guidance to local authorities on capitalisation in order to allow them to re-profile expenditure for street works and construction projects. [238876]
John Healey: The Department has no plans to review the guidance in order to allow local authorities to re-profile such expenditure, as these costs are not appropriate for capitalisation.
Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance she issues to local authorities on the appointment by them of non-executive directors; and what requirements there are on local authorities to appoint non-executive directors on the basis of open competition. [240041]
John Healey: Communities and Local Government has not issued any specific guidance on the appointment of non-executive directors to local authorities. Section 112 Local Government Act 1972 says that an authority can appoint such officers as it thinks fit and on such reasonable terms and conditions, including conditions as to remuneration, as the authority appointing him think fit. Section 7 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 states that every appointment of a person to a paid office or employment under a local authority shall be made on merit.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if the Minister for the South West will assist hon. Members from constituencies in the South West who are experiencing difficulty securing responses to their correspondence with Ministers. [238863]
Mr. Khan: The Regional Minister for the South West has no formal powers with which to assist Members from the South West on this issue.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the mean (a) mortgage payment and (b) rent payment was in England in each year since 1997, broken down by (i) age of household reference person and (ii) disposable income of household reference person and partner. [226458]
| Table 1: Mean weekly mortgage( 1) payments for mortgaged households, by age of household reference person( 2) (£) | |||||||
| Age of household reference person | |||||||
| 16 to 25 | 25 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65 plus | All | |
| Source: Family Resources Survey | |||||||
| Table 2: Mean weekly rent( 3) for private tenancy households, by age of household reference person( 2) (£) | |||||||
| Age of household reference person | |||||||
| 16 to 25 | 25 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65 and over | All | |
| Source: Family Resources Survey | |||||||
| Table 3: Mean weekly mortgage payments( 1) for mortgaged households, by weekly income of household reference person( 4) (£) | ||||||
| Weekly net income | ||||||
| Under £200 | £200 to under £400 | £400 to under £600 | £600 to under £800 | £800 and over | All | |
| Source: Family Resources Survey | ||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1508W—continued
| Table 4: Mean weekly rent( 3) for private tenancy households, by weekly income of household reference person( 4) (£) | |||||
| Weekly net income | |||||
| Under £200 | £200 to under £400 | £400 to under £600 | £600 and over | All | |
| Source: Family Resources Survey | |||||
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities have introduced (a) licensing requirements for homes in multiple occupation outside the Housing Act 2004 and (b) selective licensing arrangements for houses in multiple occupation in areas (i) of low housing demand and (ii) with significant antisocial behaviour problems. [238090]
Mr. Iain Wright: There have currently been no departmental approvals for additional HMO licensing schemes. However, there have been an increasing number of local authorities expressing interest in the additional HMO licensing provisions.
The following local authorities have been granted departmental approval to operate selective licensing schemes in areas of low housing demand.
Salford City Council;
Middlesbrough Borough Council;
Manchester City Council;
Gateshead Borough Council;
Sedgefield Borough Council;
Bolton Borough Council;
Burnley Borough Council;
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council; and
District of Easington Council
The Department is also currently considering applications for selective licensing from Leeds city council, Blackburn with Darwen council (second designation) and Hartlepool borough council.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 129W, if she will make it her policy to (a) collect and (b) hold centrally information on houses of multiple occupation in seaside towns. [238656]
Mr. Iain Wright: The Department collects from local authorities (LAs) and holds centrally property level information on licensed houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) but currently only produces statistics on these at local authority level. The latest LA level statistics on licensed HMOs were published on 18 November 2008, Official Report, column 393W. There are currently no plans to produce statistics on licensed HMOs in seaside towns, although this is something the Department will continue to review.
The Department also collects from LAs and holds centrally LA estimates of the total numbers of HMOs.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information she holds on the number of local authorities in England which have exercised their discretion to award hardship relief in respect of unpaid business rates; and if she will make a statement. [239212]
John Healey: 80 local authorities in England reported that they had exercised their discretion to award hardship relief in respect of unpaid business rates in 2007-08. The total value of the relief awarded by these authorities was £989,000.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the level of non-payment of retrospective business rates on UK port occupiers in respect of 2005 will have an effect on her Department’s budget for 2008-09. [238313]
John Healey: The level of non-payment will have no impact on the budget for this Department in 2008-09.
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many small businesses have claimed small business rates relief in Bolton South East constituency in the last 12 months; and how much relief they have claimed. [239280]
John Healey: Information on small business rate relief in the Bolton South East constituency is not available.
For the financial year 2007-08, Bolton council awarded £1.9 million in small business rate relief, but the number of businesses claiming is not available.
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Ordnance Survey has received in respect of use of its mapping data covering the Greater London area for the purpose of promoting information from (a) Government agencies, (b) the Crown Estate, (c) Greater London Authority, (d) the London Development Agency, (e) Visit London, (f) Transport for London, (g) each London borough and (h) each business improvement district, broken down by category of income. [236051]
Mr. Iain Wright: Ordnance Survey licenses data to a large number of public and statutory bodies whose work in whole or part includes the Greater London area, including Government Agencies, the Crown Estate, Greater London Authority, the London Development Agency, Transport for London and each London borough.
A significant number of these bodies acquire their Ordnance Survey data through collective purchasing agreements which are paid centrally. Licensees are not required to indicate the nature of the internal business use to which they apply their data or the specific areas in which these business uses are undertaken.
Ordnance Survey does not, therefore, hold specific information on the revenue received from the use of mapping of the Greater London area from public and statutory bodies for the purpose stated.
Visit London is a company which does not currently licence data directly from Ordnance Survey, though may have access to Ordnance Survey data through contract work for Ordnance Survey licensees.
The Greater London Authority, Transport for London and the London Development Agency have access to Ordnance Survey's data through the Greater London Agreement.
Ordnance Survey does not collect information on how data licensed through these collective agreements is used by individual bodies.
Ordnance Survey is in the process of undertaking a strategic review of its operations. Two of the issues that are being addressed are first, the perceived and actual complexities in licensing arrangements and secondly, the accounting treatment for revenue raised via different products.
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Ordnance Survey has received in respect of use of mapping data covering the Greater London area for the purpose of providing information from public and statutory bodies in each of the last five years, broken down by category of income. [236053]
Mr. Iain Wright: Ordnance Survey licenses data to a large number of public and statutory bodies whose work in whole or part includes the Greater London area. A significant proportion of these bodies acquire their Ordnance Survey data through collective purchasing agreements which are paid centrally. Licensees are not required to indicate the nature of the internal business use to which they apply their data or the specific areas in which these business uses are undertaken.
Ordnance Survey does not, therefore, hold specific information on the revenue received from use of mapping of the Greater London area for the purpose stated. Ordnance Survey is in the process of undertaking a strategic review of its operations.
Two of the issues that are being addressed are first, the perceived and actual complexities in licensing arrangements and secondly, the accounting treatment for revenue raised via different products.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff in her Department left under (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) her Department and (Z) each of her Department's agencies. [237354]
Mr. Khan: Details of salaries paid to staff in Communities and Local Government who left the Department in each year since 2005-06 under involuntary or voluntary staff exit schemes have not been retained centrally. As a consequence there would be a disproportionate cost in providing that information.
The following table shows the number of staff who involuntarily left Communities and Local Government, having received notice of compulsory redundancy in each year since 2005-06:
| Total | |
The following table shows the number of staff who voluntarily left Communities and Local Government and its Agencies under early retirement or early severance schemes in each year:
| Main department | Planning inspectorate | Fire service college | Total | |
Compensation for early departure is paid from the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. Communities and Local Government meets the cost of early departures, and this includes the cost of lump sum severance payments and the additional costs of benefits beyond the normal Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) benefits in respect of employees who retire early.
The following table shows expenditure on early departures by Communities and Local Government, or its predecessor, and Agencies in each year since 2005-06.
| £000 | |||||
| Central department | Planning inspectorate | QEII conference centre | Fire service college | Total | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1511W—continued
The Department for Communities and Local Government and its Agencies are not planning any involuntary or voluntary staff exit schemes in 2008-09 or 2009-10 although funding may be made available for individual cases as appropriate.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many of her Department’s staff who left under (a) an involuntary and (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if she will make a statement. [239165]
Mr. Khan: The following table shows the numbers of staff who left Communities and Local Government, or its predecessor, on voluntary exit schemes as well as those who left having received notice of compulsory redundancy in each year since 2005-06 broken down as requested:
| Number undertaking exit schemes by compensation lump sum amounts | |||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
| (1) Of the 189 exits in this year 13 were involuntary exits. | |||
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many properties in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire are privately rented; [239945]
(2) how many people have been registered as private tenants in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997. [239946]
Mr. Iain Wright: Information on the number of properties in Hemel Hempstead and in Hertfordshire that are privately rented is not available.
Private tenants do not have to “register”. However, estimates are available for the number of households in the private rented sector—but only from the 2001 Census. Annual figures, other than for 2001, are not available at below Government office region.
In the parliamentary constituency of Hemel Hempstead there were 2,154 households who were privately renting during the 2001 Census. In Hertfordshire the number of privately renting households was 36,317.
Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what measures are in place to tackle unscrupulous landlords in the private rented sector; and if she will make a statement. [239685]
Mr. Iain Wright: The Housing Act 2004 provides local authorities with a range of tools to improve management standards in the private rented sector. Local authorities are now under a statutory duty to licence all houses in multiple occupation (HMO) that are of three or more storeys housing five or more persons forming more than one household. They also have the discretion to introduce additional HMO licensing schemes to cover smaller HMOs where they have identified problems with management and property condition.
Local authorities also have the discretion to introduce selective licensing schemes to cover all privately rented property in areas which suffer or are likely to suffer from low housing demand and also to those that suffer from significant and persistent antisocial behaviour.
Breach of a licence condition is an offence subject to a fine of up to £5,000. Letting or managing a property without a licence is a criminal offence, subject to a maximum fine of £20,000.
The Act also provides local authorities with powers to take over the management of HMOs and other privately rented property in specified circumstances.
The independent review of the private rented sector, published on 23 October by Julie Rugg and David Rhodes from University of York, also put forward some recommendations on how to raise standards and professionalism in the sector. We will be considering these in consultation with stakeholders.
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the effect on levels of home repossessions when the standard interest rate used to calculate claims for mortgage interest payments is reduced but lenders do not pass on interest rate cuts to borrowers. [238647]
Mr. Iain Wright: Communities and Local Government Ministers meet colleagues across government regularly to discuss housing policy.
The pre-Budget report on 24 November confirmed that income support for mortgage interest will be paid at the same level as September (6.08 per cent.) for the next six months, despite the recent fall in base rates.
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will assess the effects of house repossessions in Chipping Barnet constituency. [237553]
Mr. Iain Wright: The Government are determined to do everything possible to ensure families facing possible repossession have the chance to remain in their homes, and that repossession is always the last resort.
We continue to work closely with all English local authorities to ensure that advice and assistance is available to all households where homelessness is threatened, including through house repossession.
Over the next three years, CLG is providing funding of £200 million to local authorities and voluntary organisations to support local authorities’ statutory responsibilities to prevent homelessness.
Since July, all English LAs have reviewed and published their homelessness strategies, including greater emphasis on landlord and lender repossessions to reflect changing market conditions.
Additionally, as part of this week’s pre-Budget report, the Government announced further support for homeowners and households in difficulty. This includes changes to regulation of second charge mortgage market; consulting on the sale and rent back market; establishing a lending panel to bring together Government, regulators, lenders, trade bodies and consumer groups; and protecting vulnerable homeowners in financial difficulty by extending the Mortgage Rescue scheme to cover second charge lending.
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what percentage of homes are registered as second homes in the (a) Test Valley borough and (b) Hampshire County Council area. [239844]
Mr. Iain Wright:
There were 237 properties registered as second homes for council tax purposes in the Test Valley borough area in October 2007, 0.5 per cent. of all dwellings. At the same date, 4,436 properties, or
0.8 per cent. of all dwellings, were registered as second homes for council tax purposes in the Hampshire county council area.
The data are from a snapshot taken each year and are as recorded, in council tax base returns submitted annually, by each local authority.
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has provided to local authorities on whether adults who smoke may be eligible to become foster parents. [235930]
Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent steps the Government has taken to ensure that the views of local authority tenants on (a) social housing issues and (b) improvements to their homes are considered appropriately. [230813]
Mr. Iain Wright [holding answer 28 October 2008]: The Government are establishing a new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority. Professor Ian Cole was appointed as independent chair of an advisory panel appointed to look at how best to extend the role of the Tenant Services Authority, the new regulator for social housing, to regulate local authority providers. Professor Cole's recommendations were published in September. Both Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) and Tenants and Residents Organisations of England (TAROE) were members of the panel and two workshops were held with tenants of local authorities to help inform the panel's considerations. We will be consulting about extending its remit to local authority housing and how it engages with the views of local authority tenants.
The Government are also creating working with tenants a new ‘National Tenant Voice’ to ensure tenants can shape and influence policy and decision-making at local, regional and national Government.
The Government have also set a new agenda that puts tenants at the heart of decision-making about their homes and neighbourhoods. This combines many existing tenant engagement activities with new ones.
The Department is also reviewing Tenant Participation Compacts introduced in 2000. Compacts are produced by all local authorities and set out how tenants will be involved collectively in decision-making about the service they receive from their landlord. The Review was announced in the Community Empowerment White Paper “Communities in Control”.
In order to ensure that the views of tenants on improvements to their homes are considered appropriately we have set out consultation requirements in legislation and guidance. Tenants have been engaged in an options appraisal process to decide the best delivery route for decent homes and then further consultation is required at different stages in the delivery process. We have
recently advised local authorities that want to change their delivery route for decent homes, or choose a different route to maintain decency that we expect the same options appraisal process to be undertaken.
Tenants are also able to take the initiative over the management of their homes. The Right to Manage Regulations, which were introduced in 1994 were updated at the beginning of October to simplify and speed up the process. These regulations were accompanied by guidance to encourage and support tenant management.
The Housing and Regeneration Bill 2008 introduced a requirement for local authorities to co-operate with tenants groups to undertake stock options studies and to work with them towards their preferred option. As part of ongoing housing policy development and delivery, officials and Ministers meet with tenants and tenant representative bodies.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many registered social landlords (a) are in breach of their borrowing covenant, (b) are within 5 per cent. of breaching their covenant, (c) expect to be charged higher rates of interest, (d) are renegotiating loans and (e) are seeking increases in their gap funding; and what steps her Department has taken to assist them in each case. [234312]
Mr. Iain Wright: The Tenant Services Authority (TSA), the new regulator of the social housing sector, will from 1 December 2008 operate the Housing Corporation's existing powers to require financial information from RSLs and will have a statutory objective to ensure that they are financially viable and properly managed.
The Housing Corporation currently collects and evaluates the business plans of all housing associations that are development partners (those that are eligible to bid for Social Housing Grant under the National Affordable Housing Programme 2008-11). The current evaluation of 2008 business plans includes reviews of current and projected
compliance with loan covenants. This work will be complete early in 2009. The TSA will be able to report fully on loan covenant compliance for those associations shortly thereafter. There is no evidence that any associations are currently in breach of their loan covenants, nor that any are seeking increases in their existing gap funding agreements.
The Corporation has also been monitoring the impact of current market conditions, both in terms of loan covenant compliance and market sales, through its quarterly surveys with its development partners and other associations since the beginning of 2008. The results of these surveys are placed in the Library of the House. The results of the October 2008 survey were published on 25 November and are available on the Corporation's website at:
http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.16146/changeNav/431
most housing associations have loan facilities that cover more than two years worth of projected loan drawdowns
a small number of associations are intending to raise new debt
of the £5.5 billion that associations intend to drawdown from loan facilities in the next 12 months, only £0.3 billion, or 5 per cent. of the total, is new debt which has still to be arranged; and
associations are projecting receipts of £1.2 billion through sales of low cost home ownership units and other assets; if those sales are not achieved, further debt will be required.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the use of out-of-county placements of vulnerable adults and children in principal seaside towns in England. [238421]
Phil Hope: I have been asked to reply.
Information about the number of adults placed out of county in the principal seaside towns in England, is not collected centrally. It is not, therefore, possible to make an assessment of the use of such placements.
Information is only collected at council level and by total number of clients funded by a council but receiving services outside the council boundary.
Children's services are the responsibility of the Department for Children, Schools and Families
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessments of Staffordshire County Council’s social services department have been made since 2000. [239403]
John Healey: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold records of the inspections and assessments taking place in individual councils. However, inspectorates have advised that the following inspections/assessments took place:
The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) of Older People in January 2002;
SSI’s of Staffordshire children’s social care services in 2003;
The Audit Commission of Supporting People in 2003;
CSCI of disabled people in December 2004;
Joint review by CSCI, Ofsted and other relevant inspectorates of children’s social care services in 2005;
People with a learning disability in July 2006;
Joint CSCI and Healthcare Commission for people with mental health needs in December 2006;
CSCI of local authority’s fostering services in January 2007;
The Audit Commission of Supporting People in 2008;
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1516W—continued
Ofsted of the local authority's adoption service 2008.
In addition to specific inspection activity, there are annual reviews of all the council’s adults’ and children’s social care services.
Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of the letter from the Minister of State for Local Government to the hon. Member for Leeds East on the methodology used in respect of Working Neighbourhood Funding in Leeds. [238872]
John Healey: Since the launch of the Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF) in December 2007, I have exchanged correspondence and had discussions with a number of hon. Members including the hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Mudie). The methodology for determining eligibility for the WNF which we have published was a feature of all correspondence and conversations between hon. Members and me.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the average daily sortie rate was for the eight Harrier aircraft deployed in Afghanistan in October 2008; [238822]
(2) what the planned sortie rate is for 8 Tornado aircraft due to replace Harrier in Afghanistan next year during its first month of operation in theatre. [238823]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 24 November 2008]: I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. However, I can confirm that the Tornado force will provide the same vital capability in support of the International Security Assistance Force as is currently being provided by the Harrier force and I cannot understand why you are telling people otherwise.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding has been spent on urgent operational requirements for the Harrier force since it deployed to Afghanistan in 2004. [238824]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 24 November 2008]: A maximum of £45 million has been approved for spend on urgent operational requirements for the Harrier force in Afghanistan. This corrects the previous figure I provided in my answer to the hon. Member on 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 135W. It has not been possible in the time available to identify how much of this amount has been spent.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost to the public purse has been in addition to that which would routinely have been incurred as part of the routine Harrier Annual Flying Task of sustaining the Harrier force in Afghanistan over the last three years. [238825]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The cost to the public purse of sustaining Harrier over and above that which would have been expected to be incurred as a result of routine Harrier Force activity over the last three financial years is:
| £ million | |||
| FY 2005-06 | FY 2006-07 | FY 2007-08 | |
It has not been possible to collate and confirm all of the FY 2005-06 costs in the time available; deployment and UOR costs are not included in these figures.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the forecast total cost to the public purse additional to that which would routinely be incurred as part of the routine Tornado Annual Flying Task has been of deploying the Tornado force to Afghanistan for the first year, including costs associated with urgent operational requirements, deployment and sustainable costs, and costs associated with upgrading follow-on aircraft to replace those initially deployed to theatre. [238826]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The forecast additional cost for financial year 2009-10 over and above routine Tornado force activity to support deployment to Afghanistan is up to £67.5 million. Estimated costs break down:
| Estimated cost (£ million) | |
|
Middle East Theatre Entry Standard (TES) upgrade plus role equipment | |
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many rounds have been fired by British forces in each Brigade rotation in Afghanistan since Herrick 6, broken down by type of ammunition used. [232644]
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many rounds of ammunition were fired by UK armed forces in Afghanistan in 2007-08. [235233]
Mr. Hutton: Officials are collating and validating the data needed to answer this question and this is taking longer than anticipated. I will therefore write to the hon. Members when this work is complete and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Harrier force at its full establishment could achieve harmony on Operation Herrick. [236786]
Mr. Hutton: Full manning of the front-line Harrier Force to current establishment, is insufficient to meet the enduring requirement of Operation HERRICK within RAF harmony guidelines. Pilots and ground crew from supporting Harrier units can be used to supplement the front-line to help achieve harmony, but this is not sustainable on an enduring basis.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many senior Royal Air Force officers of 2 star rank and above are former Tornado pilots, broken down by (a) rank and (b) post. [239717]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: There are 10 RAF officers of 2 star rank and above who are former Tornado Pilots.
| Rank | Appointment |
|
Air Member for Personnel (AMP)/Deputy Commander in Chief (DCinC) Air (Personnel) | |
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions there are on flying times and patterns for (a) helicopters based at (i) RAF Benson and (ii) RAF Odiham and (b) Hercules at RAF Lyneham. [238125]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: All RAF stations must adhere to and operate within the low flying system as outlined in the United Kingdom Military Planning Document Volume 3, Part 1. The publication "The Pattern of Military Low Flying across the United Kingdom 2007-2008', copies of which are available in the Library of the House, provides a report on the levels of low flying training by both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft across the United Kingdom.
In terms of restrictions specific to RAF Benson and RAF Odiham, local avoidance zones have been established in order to reduce disturbance to local residents. These are self-imposed local restrictions which can be lifted as operational circumstance require and are only applicable to aircraft operating out of these particular stations. The RAF Benson Station Flying Book directs the restriction of over-flights of the local villages of Ewelme, Benson, Berrick Salome and Roke and the town of Wallingford. Visual circuit flying training (where the aircrew use ground references such as landmarks as a reference instead of flying wholly on instruments) is prohibited after 23:59hrs. In addition, military helicopter crews avoid flying over Aylesbury, Oxford, Thame, Abingdon, Grove, Didcot and Wantage below 1000ft. Aircrew from RAF Odiham strive to avoid flying over the villages of South Warnborough, Long Sutton, Odiham and Crondall whenever possible. There are no instrument approaches to Runway 27 after 20:00hrs and when using fields for training exercises after 20:00hrs the approach is varied to avoid concentrating noise in one area.
Various restrictions are imposed on the operation of CI30 Hercules aircraft based at RAF Lyneham. During the day, a maximum of six training aircraft are permitted in a circuit. Night flying is restricted between the hours of 21:00hrs and 08:00hrs by not permitting practice circling low-level approaches and limiting the number of low-level circuits to three. However, there is an exception to this for Tactical Air Landing and Night Vision Goggle training when varied approaches are
used to minimise disruption. In addition, night flying circuits on runway 06 alternate from the right-hand to the left-hand of the airfield every hour to minimise noise.
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the level of expenditure on infrastructure improvements required on (a) RAF Benson, (b) RAF Odiham and (c) RAF Lyneham to bring them up to the requisite standard. [238126]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The cost of infrastructure improvements required at the three stations depend upon basing requirements, which are currently under consideration by Programme Belvedere, the results of which are not expected to be announced until late summer 2009.
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average length of time was between a soldier being killed in action and the standard payment following a death in action being paid to the bereaved family in the latest period for which figures are available. [233617]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK personnel are deployed on operations, broken down by location. [236448]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The endorsed force levels for current UK military operations are set out. The precise number of personnel in theatre at any one time fluctuates on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including mid-tour rest and recuperation, temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces and other factors. Having given detailed consideration to how we answer questions on operational force levels, Ministers have decided that, for reasons of operational security, future answers will be based upon the endorsed force level for each operation.
| Location | Endorsed Number (at 20 October 2008)( 1) |
| (1) Rounded to 50 (2) Providing support to the Senior British Military Representative Iraq (3 )Small scale deployments in support of EU and UN missions, and headquarters liaison officers. | |
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of personnel in each pinch point trade in the armed forces exceeded harmony guidelines for tour intervals in the latest period for which figures are available. [237814]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Individual Separated Service is currently recorded on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system. Individual separation is recorded as one of 16 activity codes; these codes allow commanders to identify how much separation is caused by each activity. Data from the system is currently only available to the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. The Army, being the last to transfer to JPA, does not yet have sufficient data to provide meaningful statistics. A complete period of data should become available in January 2010. Even with a full cycle of data the system is not configured to identify individual tour intervals for Service personnel. The system is designed to identify where individual harmony guidelines are being broken. The current individual harmony guidelines are:
The Royal Navy guidelines determine that its personnel spend, on average, 60 per cent. of their time deployed and 40 per cent. alongside in their home port during a three year period. The maximum individual threshold (Separated Service) is 660 days away from their normal place of work in the same three year period.
The Army guidelines determine that its soldiers can be deployed for one six month tour in every 30 months (six on 24 off) and during that 30 month period a soldier should not expect to be away from his normal place of work for more than a total of 415 days.
The Royal Air Force guidelines determine that its personnel should not spend more than 28 days in every four months away from their normal place of duty, which allows for a four month operational tour (four on 16 off).
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) outflow and (b) voluntary outflow rate has been of each infantry battalion over the last 12 months, broken down by rank. [235427]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Outflow information for each infantry battalion is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, total outflow figures by Arm/Service and paid rank have recently become available for 2007-08 and figures for the Infantry are shown in the following table:
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1521W—continued
| Outflow from the t raine d strength of the Infantry by p aid r ank for FY 2007-08 | |
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. UK Regular Army includes nursing services and excludes full time reserve service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish regiment and mobilised reservists. 2. Total outflow figures include personnel removed from the strength having been declared long term absentee (LTA). 3. Officer figures exclude those with a paid rank of Colonel and above. 4. Due to the implementation of the new Joint Personnel Administration System all Army data from 1 April 2007 are provisional and subject to review. 5. Figures have been rounded to 10; numbers ending in “5” have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. 6. Where rounding has been used, totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not appear to be the sum of their parts. 7. All figures are provisional. | |
Due to the ongoing validation of data on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system, a break down of exit by reason, including voluntary outflow cannot currently be produced for army officers and other ranks from FY 2007-08 onwards.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) target and (b) actual (i) inflow, (ii) outflow and (iii) voluntary outflow rate of each pinch point trade was in the last 12 months. [237927]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 15 May 2008, Official Report, columns 1704-08W. This position remains unaltered and is still the case. I have provided as much information as possible for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force although it is not possible to provide inflow rates for the Royal Navy pinch points due to the configuration of the pinch point trades on the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system. The Army is currently not able to provide any data of this kind as the information held on JPA has not been validated.
| Royal Navy pinch points | |||||||
| Shortfall | |||||||
| Trade | Liability | Strength | Number | Percentage | Inflow | Outflow | VO |
| Army operational pinch points | |||||||
| Shortfall | |||||||
| Trade | Liability | Strength | Number | Percentage | Inflow | Outflow | VO |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1524W—continued
| Army manning pinch points | |||||||
| Shortfall | |||||||
| Trade | Liability | Strength | Number | Percentage | Inflow | Outflow | VO |
| RAF operational pinch points | |||||||
| Shortfall | |||||||
| Trade | Liability | Strength | Number | Percentage | Inflow | Outflow | VO |
|
Air Traffic Controller (ATC)/Flight Operations Manager (FOM)/Flight Operations Assistant (FOA) | |||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1526W—continued
| RAF manning pinch points | |||||||
| Shortfall | |||||||
| Branch/Trade | Liability | Strength | Number | Percentage | Inflow | Outflow | VO |
| ‘—’denotes rounded down to 0 | |||||||
Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the net present value was of a pension for a sergeant retiring after (a) 18 years’ service on 30 April 1997 as a (i) Gurkha and (ii) regular army non-commissioned officer and (b) 22 years’ service on 30 April 2008 under (A) AFPS 75 and (B) AFPS 05. [238627]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The information is as follows.
Pensions at 30 April 199 7—after 18 years’ service
A direct comparison for pension benefits paid after 18 years service on 30 April 1997 is not possible. If a Gurkha Sergeant was discharged after 18 years service on 30 April 1997, he would have been eligible for the following under the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS).
| Immediate award ICR( 1) | NPV( 2) ICR | NPV (£)( 3) | |
| (1) ICR—Indian Currency Rupees (2 )NPV—Net Present Value (3) Current exchange rate of 80.68 ICR to £1. | |||
This pension is paid immediately as under the GPS rules only 15 years service is required for immediate benefits.
Under Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 (AFPS 75) a regular soldier leaving after 18 years would need to wait until aged 60 to claim his pension.
A regular Army Sergeant completing 18 years service on 30 April 1997 under AFPS 75 would receive the following:
| £ | ||
| Award payable at age 60 | Net present value | |
Pensions at 30 April 2008—after 22 years’ service
To ensure 22 years reckonable service on 30 April 2008 under AFPS 75 and qualification for Early Departure Payment benefits under AFPS 05 a date of birth of 1 May 1968 and an enlistment date of 1 May 1986 have been assumed. An annual salary figure of £33,922.32, which applies to both Gurkha and Regular Army Sergeants, has been used for the AFPS 05 calculations. This is based on the pay rate for a Sergeant who is on Level 5, on the higher spine.
The following table shows the values for pensions at 30 April 2008 for both a Gurkha and Regular Sergeant under AFPS 75 and AFPS 05.
| £ | ||
| AFPS 75 | AFPS 0 5 | |
In the Gurkha example, pensionable service before 1 July 1997 has been given a value in AFPS broadly equivalent to the pension earned in the Gurkha Pension Scheme. This is in line with the Gurkha pensions Offer to Transfer, which was found to be reasonable and lawful by the High Court.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1527W—continued
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the Future Rapid Effects System. [227867]
Mr. Quentin Davies: On 8 May 2008, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced selection of PIRANHA V offered by General Dynamics (UK) Ltd as the preferred design for the FRES (Future Rapid Effect System) Utility Vehicle. Acknowledging that there were significant issues to be resolved during negotiations, the MOD took the step of making General Dynamics (UK) Ltd’s preferred bidder status provisional. For reasons of commercial confidentiality I cannot go into further details at this time.
The Specialist Vehicle (SV) element of the FRES programme continues to make good progress. In June 2008, departmental approval was given for the SV Assessment Phase. The aim of this phase is to refine the requirement, develop programme options for delivering the FRES Specialist Vehicle capability and to understand and mitigate technical risk. The Assessment Phase includes the placement of a range study of contracts with industry. We are also currently developing the Acquisition Strategy for future stages of the SV programme.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Jackal vehicles have been damaged beyond repair in service in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan; [237621]
(2) how many Warrior vehicles have been damaged beyond repair in (a) Iraq in the last five years and (b) Afghanistan since they were introduced into that country; [237625]
(3) how many Mastiff vehicles have been damaged beyond repair since their introduction into theatre. [237626]
Mr. Quentin Davies: I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the public disclosure of the weight of Army vehicles. [238665]
Mr. Quentin Davies: Specific operational information on the weight of Army vehicles is withheld as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. Insurgents could estimate the weight of armour and payload, potentially giving a tactical advantage. Knowledge of the total weight of a vehicle may allow opposing forces to determine the possible routes a convoy may follow and allow more effective attack planning. General equipment weights (i.e. before up-armouring) however are in the public domain.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 29 October 2008, Official Report, columns 28-30WS, on protected mobility, which types of lesser protected vehicles he plans to withdraw from operations. [238751]
Mr. Hutton: The tactical support vehicles (TSVs) Coyote, Husky and Wolfhound will replace light utility ‘B’ vehicles operating ‘outside the wire’ such as the Pinzgauer 4x4, Pinzgauer 6x6, General Service Land Rover and Land Rover Truck Utility Medium/Truck Utility Light. The TSVs will also undertake some of the roles currently carried out using Snatch Land Rover. TSVs together with the Snatch Vixen modification programme will replace the use of Snatch 2A ‘outside the wire’. The Warthog will replace Viking.
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has for the expansion of the armoured vehicle support initiative in 2009; and if he will make a statement; [239614]
(2) whether his Department plans to continue with the armoured vehicle support initiative programme in 2009. [239616]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The strategic intent to transform the way in which support is delivered to our current Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) fleet in order to ensure best value for money remains extant. The approach so far has been embodied in the Armoured Vehicle Support Initiative (AVSI) which examines the comparative advantage of either contracting with a partner (BAE SYSTEMS) or delivering support through incremental improvement to current support arrangements. The Department intends to pursue this strategic intent in 2009 although the format is continually reviewed.
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will include the Hadley plant of BAE systems Land Systems in the work undertaken to deliver the Warrior Fightability Lethality Improvement Programme. [239615]
Mr. Quentin Davies: This is a commercial decision for the company.
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that BAE Land Systems at Hadley is utilised to meet urgent operational requirements arising from the future rapid effects systems utility vehicle programme. [239617]
Mr. Quentin Davies: There are no current Urgent Operational Requirements arising from the Future Rapid Effect System Utility Vehicle programme, which is in its Assessment Phase. The Department cannot ensure that any particular company is used, as MOD sources globally in order to achieve the best possible value for money through life for the armed forces. Once a company is selected to meet a specific requirement it is matter for the company on how and where it meets this requirement.
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his timetable is for modernising the Warrior turret and increasing its lethality. [239618]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) will upgrade the current Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) to meet the current and future requirements of the British Army. The programme is in the early stages of its Acquisition Cycle. In common with all defence equipment programmes, it is our policy not to release or discuss in service dates ahead of main investment decisions.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of whether the Army Terms of Service (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2008 are compatible with the Convention rights in the Human Rights Act 1998. [239510]
Mr. Kevan Jones:
The Army Terms of Service (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2008 came into effect on 6 August 2008. The regulations brought the minimum
commitment period for soldiers under 18 years of age back into line with the provisions that existed prior to 1 January 2008, i.e. that they should serve for a minimum of four years from their 18th birthday.
The Ministry of Defence does not consider the provisions of the regulations to be in breach of the Human Rights Act 1998.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dentists the Army employs; and from which sites such dentists operate. [239450]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The Army currently employs 127 dental practitioners and six dental consultants. A further four dental practitioners are currently in their probationary year awaiting accreditation.
Army dentists currently practise in the following locations:
Abingdon
Aldershot
Arborfield
Ayios Nikolas (Cyprus)
Bassingbourn
British Army Training Unit Suffield (Canada)
Bicester
Bielefeld (Germany)
Blandford
Bordon
Bovington
Bramcote
Brawdy
Brecon
Bulford
Camberley
Canterbury
Catterick
Celle (Germany)
Chatham
Chepstow
Chester
Chilwell
Colchester
Colerne
Deepcut
Dhekelia (Cyprus)
Edinbrugh
Elmpt (Germany)
Episkopi (Cyprus)
Fallingbostel (Germany)
Fort George
Gutersloh (Germany)
Hameln (Germany)
Harrogate
Hereford
Herford (Germany)
Hermitage
Hohne (Germany)
Holywood
Hounslow
Larkhill
Leconfield
Linton-on-Ouse
Lisburn
Maidstone
Marchwood
Middle Wallop
Minley
Munster (Germany)
Osnabruck (Germany)
Ouston
Paderborn (Germany)
Pirbright
Preston
Rheindahlen (Germany)
Ripon
Sennelager (Germany)
Seria (Brunei)
Mons (Belgium)
Shorncliffe
Shrivenham
Tern Hill
Thorney Island
Tidworth
Topcliffe
Warminster
Waterbeach
Wattisham
Weeton
Wellington
Winchester
Windsor
Woodbridge
Woolwich
York
Visiting dental teams provide a service to more remote or smaller locations on a rotational basis.
All figures are taken from the Joint Personnel Administration system.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many regiments were based in the North West in each of the last three years; and how many will be based in the North West in the next 12 months. [239451]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The following units have been based in the north-west over the last 22 months:
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1532W—continued
The following units are due to move to the north-west in the next three years:
| Serial | Unit | Location |
|
253 General Support Medical Regiment (Volunteers) (253GSMedRegt(V)) | ||
|
254 General Support Medical Regiment (Volunteers) (254GSMedRegt(V)) |
Data on the units located in the North West before January 2007 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits joined the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy, (c) Royal Marines and (d) Royal Air Force in each of the last three years, broken down by region of recruitment. [239452]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Information on recruitment by region is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The total number of personnel that were recruited (intake from civilian life) to the UK regular1 forces by service for each of the last three financial years is as follows:
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
| (1) UK regular forces includes nursing services but excludes full-time reserve service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists. It includes trained and untrained personnel. (2) Denotes provisional and subject to review due to ongoing data validation of the Joint Personnel Administration system (JPA). Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. | |||
Recruitment (intake from civilian life) figures can be found in table 3 of Tri-Service Publication (TSP) 01: Strength, intake and Outflow of UK Regular Forces. TSP 01 is published monthly. The most recent publication shows figures at 1 September 2008 and can be found at
http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=48&thiscontent=30&date=2008-10-14&pubType=lÂ"&PublishTime=09:30:00&from=home&tabOption=3.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the L14A1 side attack mine came into army service; when it was removed from the inventory; and how and when the ordnance's disposal took place; [239848]
(2) what trigger mechanisms were employed for the L14A1 side attack mine while it was in Army service; and whether it was ever fitted with infrared sensors. [239849]
Mr. Quentin Davies: According to our records, the L14A1 side attack mine was not in service with British Armed Forces. Two variants of an off-route anti-tank mine, the LI 14A1 and the L131A1, are known to have entered military service prior to 1971, but no record can be found of the precise dates. Initiation was either by an operator using a trigger switch or by means of a break-wire stretched across the road. Neither munition was fitted with infrared sensors. They were withdrawn from service in 1994 and were disposed of by burning at the MOD range at Shoeburyness in the mid 1990s.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruits to be served by his Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers. [239723]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The information requested is not collected.
The Government will shortly be publishing a report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by Government Departments and also supplied to hospitals and prisons under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain and National Offender Management Service (previously HM Prison Service) between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/awareness.htm
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238926]
Mr. Kevan Jones: It is not possible to break down the rate of non-sickness absence as there are currently no reliable data available.
Sickness absence rates in MOD for the 12 months ending 31 December 2005, 31 December 2006, 31 December 2007 and 31 March 2008 are shown in the following table:
| Sickness absence rates | |||
| Full-time equivalent | |||
| Year ending | Industrial | Non industrial | Total |
| Notes: 1. Data exclude staff in trading funds, the royal fleet auxiliary, and locally engaged civilians for whom sickness absence data are not readily available. 2. Data presented reflects the current Cabinet Office definition, setting a maximum absence of 225 days per person, and excludes data for weekends, annual leave and bank holidays. 3. Rates are calculated by dividing the total working days lost for each period by a weighted 13 month average for the period listed with the first and last month receiving a weighting of 0.5, and all other months a weighting of 1. | |||
Information prior to the 12 months ending 31 December 2005 is compiled on a previous definition for monitoring sickness absence which is incomparable with figures for 1 January to 31 December 2005 onwards.
| Sickness absence rates—trading funds | |||
| FTE Rates | |||
| Year ending | Industrial | Non Industrial | Total |
| Notes: 1. Trading fund personnel cannot be broken down by industrial status. 2. Data presented reflect the current Cabinet Office definition, setting a maximum absence of 225 days per person, and excludes data for weekends, annual leave and bank holidays. 3. Rates are calculated by dividing the total working days lost for each period by a weighted 13 month average for the period listed with the first and last month receiving a weighting of 0.5, and all other months a weighting of 1. | |||
Information prior to the 12 months ending 31 March 2008 is not considered robust enough to provide any meaningful sick absence rates due to data inconsistency within the HR systems used by trading funds to record absences.
Target rates of worker sickness absence for civil servants in the Ministry of Defence
Since the Cabinet Office publication of ‘Working well together in the Public Sector’ in June 1998 the Ministry of Defence have had sickness absence targets included in departmental plan with performance contained in the appropriate departmental report and accounts.
Targets have been to reduce sickness absence by cumulatively by 2.5 per cent. each year, although the continual change in methodology means that the actual figures cannot be compared year on year. The target set for financial year 2008-09 is to reduce sickness absence to 8.0 average working days lost (AWDL) per full-time equivalent employee.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to his Department of provision of office facilities to (a) special advisers and (b) press officers (i) was in the last 12 months and (ii) has been since 1997-98. [232973]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department’s agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239095]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The number of civil servants employed by the Ministry of Defence by core personnel, Agencies, trading fund staff, locally engaged civilians and Royal Fleet Auxiliary staff as at 1 April each year since 1997-98 is shown in the following tables:
| FTE: | ||||||
| April 1997 | April 1998 | April 1999 | April 2000 | April 2001 | April 2002 | |
|
Ministry Of Defence (less agencies, trading funds, LEC’s and RFA’s) | ||||||
| Note: Figures are individually rounded to the nearest 10, and not may not sum precisely to the overall total. Source: DASA (Quad-Service) | ||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1538W—continued
| FTE: | ||||||
| April 2003 | April 2004 | April 2005 | April 2006 | April 2007 | April 2008 | |
|
Ministry Of Defence (less agencies, trading funds, LEC’s and RFA’s) | ||||||
| Note: Figures are individually rounded to the nearest 10, and not may not sum precisely to the overall total. Source: DASA (Quad-Service) | ||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1540W—continued
For the period from 1 April 1997, the Department has steadily reduced the number of agencies within its organisational structure, by either merging smaller agencies to form new ones, or absorbing individual agencies back into the MOD Core Department.
As at 1 April 1997 the MOD had 36 individual agencies, excluding trading funds, by 1 April 2008 this total has reduced to six agencies. Two trading funds have been merged to form a new trading fund—Defence Support Group on 1 April 2008.
With a couple of exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office “Public Bodies” publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what type of data have been sold by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations in the last 12 months. [221947]
Mr. Kevan Jones: For material generated by the Ministry of Defence (the Department) the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) has delegated her responsibility to the MOD's Director of Intellectual Property Rights (DIPR). DIPR's delegation includes managing the external use of MOD archival material such as photographs, film footage and text. In addition DIPR grants exploitation licences to external parties reliant on the use of the Department's trade marks and technology. Licences granted comply with the Re-use of the Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 and are on commercial terms consistent with deriving best value for the tax payer.
DIPR do not sell data, however licences have been granted for the following material during the last 12 months.
| Approximate number of licences issued | |
The information requested relating to MOD's Executive Trading Funds Agencies, (namely: Defence Support Group (DSG), Dstl, Met Office and UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)) is as follows:
DSG and Dstl have not sold data under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations in the last 12 months.
Neither the Met Office nor the UKHO sell data.
The Met Office has licensed the following data types under the Re-use Regulations in the last 12 months:
Rainfall radar data;
Observational data;
Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) data;
NWP archive;
Climatological data;
Lightning detection data;
Text weather forecasts;
Photographs;
Charts and graphs;
Archived press releases;
Copy text (from Met Office website, journal articles and publications);
Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Analysis data.
In this period the Met Office has also provided various data from the types listed above for re-use by other European National Meteorological Services. In addition, the Met Office has licensed NWP data and satellite observational data originated by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites respectively; the UK is a member state of both organisations, represented by the Met Office.
TheUKHO grants licences to re-users of its Crown Copyright data in fall accordance with the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations. UKHO has licensed the following types of data in the last 12 months:
Chart data in paper and digital form (raster and vector formats;)
Tidal Prediction data (heights and times);
Tidal Harmonics data allowing licensees to calculate their own tidal predictions;
Tidal stream data (horizontal flow);
Nautical Almanac data (data for astronomical navigation, such as sunrise/sunset times and star times and positions);
List of Lights and Fog Signals;
Textual sailing directions (also known as Pilots);
Bathymetry data (survey data);
Wrecks, obstructions, cables and pipelines data;
Practice and Exercise areas data;
Notices to Mariners (weekly updates to charts);
Historical charts and surveys;
Astronomical Publications;
Miscellaneous nautical publications.
Over 80 per cent. of UKHO licences are for non-commercial or low commercial value re-use, and licensed free of charge via the UKHO website on-line licensing system. Commercial re-use of UKHO data is licensed on commercial terms which are consistent with the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI), Information Fair Trader Scheme (IFTS) and the Trading Fund principles and are regularly audited by the OPSI. UKHO re-use licensing is fully in accordance with the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many employees in his Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238956]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The following table shows details of the number of Ministry of Defence civilian employees that have taken early retirement in the last five financial years.
| Table 1: Early Retirement 2003-04 to 2008-09 | |
| Full-time equivalent | |
| Financial year | Number of MOD civilian staff who have taken early retirement( 1,2) |
| (1) Includes all non-industrial, industrial and trading fund MOD civilian personnel but excludes royal fleet auxiliary and locally engaged civilian staff for whom no information on exit reason is available. (2) Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. (3) To 30 September 2008 Source: DASA Quad Service | |
To provide specific information on the total cost would require a departmental-wide trawl to ascertain the cost of early retirement. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department have received gifts valued at £100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received in each case. [239632]
Mr. Kevan Jones: Staff are required to record all offers of gifts in Hospitality Books held locally. The requested information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press officers were employed in his Department in each year since 1997-98; what the total cost was in each year; and if he will make a statement. [239108]
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on employing press and communications officers in (a) his Department, (b) its non-departmental public bodies and (c) its agencies in each of the last three years. [239675]
Mr. Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 November 2008, Official Report, column 496W to the hon. Member for North East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) which provides details for the current year.
The number of press officers fluctuates throughout each year as well as year-to-year. No historical records are available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Information on cost is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) equipment and (b) data was lost by his Department in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [231445]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 November 2008, Official Report, column 897W, by my right hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans to the hon. Member for Chesterfield (Paul Holmes).
The Ministry of Defence has recorded the following personal data related incidents in the last 12 months.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year. [239074]
Mr. Kevan Jones: There are two special advisers currently employed in the Ministry of Defence, of which one is within pay band 2 and the other within pay band 3 as shown:
| Pay bands for 2008-09 | £ |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1544W—continued
Since 3 May 1997, no more than two special advisers have been in post at any one time.
Currently, there are approximately 108 press officers employed across the Department (as recorded in the Chief Office of Information's White Book) of which 36 are within the central MOD media and communications unit or regional defence press officer network.
Central records are not held on press officer costs in other areas of the Department and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The costs for the 36 press officers employed by the central organisation based on capitation rates is £2,191,638.
No historical records are available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238943]
Mr. Kevan Jones: Expenditure on public relations activities including recruitment, marketing and advertising for the financial years 1997-98 to 2000-01 was published in the annual MOD Performance Report, copies of which are in the Library of the House, except for 1998-99 for which expenditure was given in an answer to the Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) on 13 January 2004, Official Report, column 677W.
From 2001-02, expenditure on public relations activities has been recorded on a resource accounting basis:
| Expenditure (£ million) | |
Public relations activities comprise public relations services (including sales marketing and advertising), Service and civilian recruitment expenses and expenditure on schools and community relations initiatives.
We have no breakdown that distinguishes between publicity and advertising expenditure. Figures for the MOD trading funds or non-departmental public bodies are not included as they lie outside the MOD's accounting boundary.
Information available on expenditure by Defence Agencies is as follows (the figures are included in the related departmental figure):
| Expenditure (£) | |
| (1) The PPPA was launched on 7 April 2006. It subsumed the former Pay and Personnel Agency which incurred negligible expenditure on publicity and advertising. Note: The figures for the years before 2007-08 reflect the combined expenditure for the Armed Forces Personnel and Administration Agency and the Veterans Agency which merged to form the SPVA on 1 April 2007. | |
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years. [237319]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The two special advisers at the Ministry of Defence are supported by one full-time member of staff, providing administrative support of a non-political nature in accordance with the “Code of Conduct for Special Advisers”.
Individual civil servants’ salary details are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individual concerned.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been in the last 12 months. [238168]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The Ministry of Defence Special Advisers have no entitlement to an allocated Government car. Special advisers are temporary civil servants and their travel arrangements are made in accordance with the rules and guidance set out in the Civil Service Management Code and departmental handbooks.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239662]
Mr. Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 July 2008, Official Report, column 842-43W to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable).
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239639]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which projects his Department has commissioned from (a) think tanks and (b) charities in each of the last two years for which figures are available; what the aim of each project was; which think tank or charity was commissioned; and how much was paid. [221610]
Mr. Kevan Jones: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239036]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, records are available of the amounts spent on polling and focus groups by the central media and communications organisation dating back to 2001-02. Earlier records are not available.
It is not possible to split out the costs of opinion polls and focus groups, the figures provided will include both these elements.
| Financial year | Amount (£) |
It should be noted that these figures will only represent a portion of total spend, other areas of the Department may also commission work of this type directly.
For 2008-09 £123,000 has been spent to date and it is projected that a further £75,000 will be spent by the end of the financial year.
Additionally, work of this nature is also procured through the Central Office of Information but figures cannot be made available within the timescale.
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) listening exercises and (b) public forums his Department has held in each of the last two years; what the (i) purpose and (ii) cost was in each case; and who the private contractor was and how much it was paid in each case. [221349]
Mr. Kevan Jones: This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The MOD engages with the public, including former members of the armed forces, and its stakeholders, including industry, on an extensive range of subjects in a variety of ways and using internal or external resources as appropriate.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on public relations activities in each year since 1997. [236009]
Mr. Kevan Jones: Expenditure on public relations activities including recruitment, marketing and advertising for the financial years 1997-98 to 2000-01 were published in the annual MOD Performance Report, copies of which are in the House library, except for 1998-99 whose expenditure was given in an answer on 13 January 2004, Official Report, column 677W, to the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth).
From 2001-02, expenditure on public relations activities has been recorded on a resource accounting basis and the figures are given as follows:
| Expenditure (£ million) | |
Public relations activities comprise public relations services (including sales marketing and advertising), Service and civilian recruitment expenses and expenditure on schools and community relations initiatives.
These figures do not include expenditure for the MOD Trading Funds, which lie outside the MOD’s accounting boundary.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1548W—continued
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the declaration on co-operation between the European Defence Agency and the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation. [236447]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The declaration on co-operation between the European Defence Agency and OCCAR is Annexe I of the Council conclusions from the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 10 November. I will arrange for the Council conclusions to be placed in the Library of the House.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the number of helicopters in Regional Command South; and if he will make a statement. [234320]
Mr. Hutton: Helicopter support to ISAF operations in Regional Command (South) is provided from a multinational pool of helicopters, to which the UK makes a significant contribution. We fully recognise the vital role played by helicopters of all types in supporting NATO operations in Afghanistan and we have taken a range of measures which have increased our capability in this area. By improving crew arrangements and enhancing logistic support, we have increased available helicopter hours by around 60 per cent. in the last two years. And we have eased the pressure on the military helicopter fleet by making maximum use of civilian helicopters and aircraft for the provision of logistic support.
Looking to the future, we are examining options to deploy Merlin helicopters and additional Chinook airframes to Afghanistan. We will continue to investigate ways to get more capability out of our existing deployed airframes. And we continue to work closely with our allies to ensure other nations make an appropriate contribution in this area.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure developers and contractors in the house building industry consider the whole life costs and the production process of housing; and whether he plans to introduce producer responsibility for ( a) the construction industry and (b) house building industry products. [239435]
Mr. Quentin Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) reports and (b) statutory instruments which relate to cyber terrorism have been produced by his Department in the last three years. [230579]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The MOD had produced a number of reports relating to cyber terrorism over the past three years. I am withholding further details as their release would, or would be likely to prejudice national security.
No statutory instruments which relate to cyber terrorism have been produced by MOD in the last three years.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armoured or protected land rovers of each type were deployed to Iraq prior to October 2003; and when they were deployed. [239850]
Mr. Hutton: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when (a) officials and (b) Ministers in his Department were informed of the allegations made by the International Committee of the Red Cross about abuses by United States forces at Abu Ghraib prison in its report of February 2004; [Official Report, 11 December 2008, Vol. 485, c. 5MC.] [228972]
(2) whether Ministers in his Department were informed by officials of (a) allegations concerning the treatment of prisoners in Abu Ghraib and (b) the interim report of the International Committee of the Red Cross of February 2004 on the treatment of prisoners by coalition forces in Iraq. [229017]
Mr. Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the then Defence Secretary on 27 May 2004, to the then hon. Member for Cheadle (Mrs. Calton), Official Report, column 1843, and the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Soames), Official Report, column 1845W, and by my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary to the right hon. and learned Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) on 16 June 2004, Official Report, column 992W.
An advance copy of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) report “The Treatment by the Coalition Forces of Prisoners of War and Other Protected Persons by the Geneva Convention in Iraq during Arrest, Internment and Interrogation”, dated 10 February 2004, was received by the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and, on 12 February, copies were passed to the offices of the UK Special Representative and the Senior British Military Representative in Iraq (SBMR-I). SBMR-I passed a copy to Headquarters Multi-National Division (South East) in Iraq on 13 February, to the Permanent Joint Headquarters in the UK on 16 February, and posted a copy to the Ministry of Defence in London that arrived on 27 February.
On 26 February 2004, the ICRC formally presented the report to Ambassador Bremer as Head of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq at a meeting attended by an official from the Office of the UK Special Representative. The proceeds of this meeting were reported by telegram to the FCO in London within 24 hours.
In their meeting on 18 March 2004, the President of the ICRC, Dr. Kellenberger, did mention briefly to my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(Mr. Rammell) that the February ICRC report contained allegations concerning treatment of detainees by forces other than UK forces, although naturally the part of their discussion which covered detainees in Iraq focused on specific allegations against UK forces. The Minister discussed the concerns raised by Dr. Kellenberger with officials on his return to London. Officials had already received assurances that UK investigations were under way into allegations of abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison. Defence Ministers became aware of the specific allegations against UK forces contained in the ICRC report when they read the report over the weekend of 8-9 March 2004. A copy had been passed by officials to the Defence Secretary’s office on 7 May 2004.
The ICRC report summarises a series of working papers handed over to coalition forces based on observations and interviews during the 29 visits the ICRC conducted in 14 places of detention throughout Iraq between 31 March and 24 October 2003. Ministers had been aware of those issues relating to UK forces for five months before they were aware of the report itself. Allegations of abuse are taken very seriously and, by the time the ICRC report was published, the Royal Military Police were already engaged on several investigations into specific alleged incidents of abuse by UK forces.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the Harrier Force played in Operation TELIC in 2003. [238820]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Harriers deployed on Operation Telic in 2003 were tasked with a variety of roles, primarily close air support and tactical reconnaissance.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 15th May 2008, Official Report, columns 1715-6W, on Iraq: peacekeeping operations, when each member of the Serious Crimes Unit was taken into the custody of UK forces; when each was released; whether any legal proceedings were initiated against any of them; and if he will establish an investigation into the circumstances leading up to their detention by UK forces and during the period of their detention. [207680]
Mr. Hutton: The situation in Iraq makes it very difficult to be certain of the identity and background of individuals detained by UK forces and in particular whether or not they are or have been members of the Serious Crimes Unit. Releasing detailed information of the date of capture and release of suspected members of that unit could enable the individuals concerned to be identified and thus pose a threat to their security. I am therefore not prepared to release such information.
As we have made clear previously, there are no reasons to believe that there were outstanding arrest warrants against any of the members of the SCU previously detained and subsequently released by UK forces in southern Iraq. As a result, there was no basis on which the Iraq authorities would wish to take forward legal proceedings against these individuals. They were interned by UK forces under the authority of the UN Security
Council Resolution 1546 and subsequent resolution for imperative reasons of security. Their internment and release was overseen by our in-theatre internment review procedures and they were released because of a judgment that they no longer represented an imperative security threat. I therefore have no intention of initiating further investigation into these events.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian contractors employed by his Department were serving on (a) Operation Telic and (b) Operation Herrick at the latest date for which figures are available, broken down by company providing the contractors; and which service or function is performed by each such contractor. [207910]
Mr. Quentin Davies: There are currently some 2,200 civilian contractors listed as working for the Ministry of Defence on Operation Telic and some 3,000 civilian contractors listed as working for the Ministry of Defence on Operation Herrick. The Prime Contractors for whom these individuals work and their functions are listed in the following table:
| Operation Telic | |
| Contractor | Function |
|
Accommodation/Bulk Fuel Installation Management, Maintenance, Interpreters | |
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stage the Status of Forces negotiations with the Iraqi government have reached; what discussions on the issue there have been with the United Nations, the United States and other nations with a presence in Iraq; what plans there are to present the ensuing agreements to (a) the Iraqi Parliament, (b) the UK Parliament and (c) the United Nations for approval; what consideration has been given to including the status of private security firms of UK origin or with UK personnel in the agreement; and if he will make a statement. [238795]
Mr. Hutton: The UK and the Government of Iraq are negotiating a legal framework to allow UK forces to continue to provide the assistance requested of us by Iraqi authorities, laying the foundations for a long-term normalised bilateral relationship. Our negotiations have made good progress and we expect to reach an agreement prior to the expiry of UN Security Council Resolution 1790 at the end of 2008. We continue to discuss our respective legal requirements with the US and other coalition partners.
We keep in close touch with the UN on Iraq. We have not, however, discussed the future legal framework for military activities in Iraq with the UN, given the agreement we are negotiating with the Government of Iraq would be bilateral in nature. Nor would such a bilateral arrangement require explicit UN approval.
Our intention is that Parliament will have the opportunity to consider any agreement in accordance with the standard parliamentary procedures. The approval procedure in Iraq is a matter for the Government of Iraq.
There are no plans to cover the status of commercial organisations, including private military and security companies, in the agreement.
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 18th November 2008, Official Report, column 420W, on Iraq: peacekeeping operations, whether the Iraqi authorities have taken any steps to remove any of the cameras in the last six months. [239172]
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1553W—continued
Mr. Hutton: As far as we are aware, no steps have been taken by the Iraqi authorities to remove surveillance devices deployed by UK forces in support of operations in Iraq.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Harrier squadrons have served as part of Operation Telic; and on what dates. [239716]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Elements of Numbers 1(F), 3(F) and IV(AC) Harrier Squadrons deployed in February 2003 in advance of operations in Iraq between March and May 2003.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces serving with Joint Force Harrier have broken harmony guidelines in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) air crew and (b) ground crew and (i) Royal Air Force and (ii) Royal Navy personnel. [239742]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Information on numbers of RAF and Royal Navy air and ground crew personnel who may have broken harmony guidelines in the last three years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, on average, Harrier squadrons spend four months out of every 12 deployed on Operation HERRICK.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long the Tornado GR4 has been deployed continuously on operations. [238819]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The Tornado GR4 has been deployed continuously on operations since June 2001.
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2008, Official Report, column 58W, on future large aircraft, what progress has been made in addressing the shortfall in fitting a fuel tank inerting system to the A400M development aircraft. [238840]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The first UK A400M development aircraft which is not currently fitted with pipework for a Fuel Tank Inerting system will be used initially by Airbus for Flight Test purposes in support of the development programme. This will continue for a period of several years, after which it will be refurbished prior to delivery to the RAF. The specific content and extent of this refurbishment work will need to be reviewed and informed as development progresses. This will be the correct time to address the potential provision of Fuel Tank Inerting on this development aircraft.
Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the proposal put to him by Crown Aviation on the provision of military airlift services; and if he will make a statement. [238043]
Mr. Quentin Davies: Crown Aviation's unsolicited proposal for the provision of military airlift services was received on 12 May this year. The Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Logistics Operations) wrote to Crown Aviation on 5 June explaining how the request would be dealt with and further information regarding airlift capability was sent to Crown Aviation in mid June to allow them to craft their bid in greater detail.
The proposals were considered in the same way as other unsolicited proposals that we have received from other companies and in line with departmental guidelines. Crown Aviation was informed in mid July 2008 that we did not intend to pursue their bid at present time.
Currently our needs are being met by our own organic airlift assets supported by commercial charter. Even so, our airlift requirements are under constant review and these reviews always include analysis of the requirement for the kind of commercial capability that Crown Aviation offer. However, the operating environments in our current theatres mean that it is highly unlikely that any commercial company would be capable of providing aircraft that offered sufficient protection against the attendant threat. The safety of our service personnel remains paramount.
Dr. Julian Lewis:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance Royal Navy personnel (a) have been and (b) will be given on (i) the impact of human rights legislation on the ability to transfer captured
pirates to other countries, including their own, (ii) the prospect of such captives claiming rights and benefits in the United Kingdom and (iii) whether to take pirates into captivity on Royal Navy vessels. [239467]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 25 November 2008]: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department left under (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) his Department (Z) each of his Department's agencies. [237357]
Mr. Kevan Jones: To provide this specific information would require a departmental-wide trawl to ascertain the number and cost of involuntary and voluntary staff exits in each year since 2005-06. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
We do hold information centrally on departmental-wide voluntary early release schemes which were launched in March 2005 and March 2008. The following table shows the number of staff who voluntarily left the Ministry of Defence under the departmental-wide voluntary 2005 early release scheme (early retirement or early severance) in each year between 2005-06 and 2007-08, grouped by their basic rate of pay at the time of departure:
| Up to £25,000 | £25,001 to £50,000 | £50,001 to £75,000 | £75,001 to £100,000 | Over £100,000 | Total | |
These numbers vary slightly from those reported previously as different reports have been reconciled. The Ministry of Defence meets the cost of early departures, and this includes the cost of lump sum severance payments and the additional costs of benefits beyond the normal Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) benefits in respect of employees who retire early.
The following table shows expenditure on early departures in each year since 2005-06.
| £ million | |
The following table shows the number of staff who will voluntarily leave the Ministry of Defence under the Departmental-wide voluntary 2008 early release scheme (early retirement or early severance) in the years 2008-09 and 2009-10, grouped by their basic rate of pay at the time of departure. These figures are subject to change as final selections and acceptances are still to be confirmed:
| Up to £25,000 | £25,001 to £50,000 | £50,001 to £75,000 | £75,001 to £100,000 | Over £100,000 | Total | |
The following table shows the expected expenditure of early departures by year.
| £ million | |
The Civil Service Management Code outlines various categories of early departure under which civil servants can retire and be retired early. These categories provide for the circumstances of departure, and details of the compensation benefits associated with these departures are contained in the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. The categories are split between early retirement, which applies to staff aged 50 or over, and early severance which applies to staff aged under 50.
Staff who leave on compulsory redundancy receive benefits under the compulsory early severance or compulsory early retirement categories, depending on their age. Benefits are also payable to those who leave voluntarily under these categories, and under the flexible early severance, flexible early retirement and approved early retirement categories.
Departments meet the full costs of early departure. This includes the cost of lump sum severance payments
and the additional costs of benefits beyond the normal Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) benefits in respect of employees who retire early.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's staff who left under (a) an involuntary and (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if he will make a statement. [239161]
Mr. Kevan Jones: To provide this specific information would require a departmental-wide trawl to ascertain the number and cost of involuntary and voluntary staff exits in each year since 2005-06. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
We do hold information centrally on departmental-wide voluntary early release schemes, launched in March 2005 and March 2008. The following table shows the number of staff who voluntarily left the Ministry of Defence under the departmental-wide voluntary 2005 early release scheme (early retirement or early severance) in each year since 2005-06, grouped by the cost of their severance package:
| Up to £25,000 | £25,001 to £50,000 | £50,001 to £75,000 | £75,001 to £100,000 | Over £100,000 | Total | |
These numbers vary slightly from those reported previously as different reports have been reconciled. The Ministry of Defence meets the cost of early departures, and this includes the cost of lump sum severance payments and the additional costs of benefits beyond the normal Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) benefits in respect of employees who retire early.
The following table shows the number of staff who will voluntarily leave the Ministry of Defence under the departmental-wide voluntary 2008 early release scheme (early retirement or early severance) in the years 2008-09 and 2009-10, grouped by the cost of their severance package. These figures are subject to change as final selection and acceptances are still to be confirmed:
| Up to £25,000 | £25,001 to £50,000 | £50,001 to £75,000 | £75,001 to £100,000 | Over £100,000 | Total | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1558W—continued
The Civil Service Management Code outlines various categories of early departure under which civil servants can retire and be retired early. These categories provide for the circumstances of departure, and details of the compensation benefits associated with these departures are contained in the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. The categories are split between early retirement, which applies to staff aged 50 or over, and early severance which applies to staff aged under 50.
Staff who leave on compulsory redundancy receive benefits under the compulsory early severance or compulsory early retirement categories, depending on their age. Benefits are also payable to those who leave voluntarily under these categories, and under the flexible early severance, flexible early retirement and approved early retirement categories.
Departments meet the full costs of early departure. This includes the cost of lump sum severance payments and the additional costs of benefits beyond the normal Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) benefits in respect of employees who retire early.
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on upgrading the infrastructure at (a) RAF Benson, (b) RAF Odiham and (c) RAF Lyneham in each of the last five years. [237377]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The amount that has been spent on upgrading the built estate assets including utilities, airfield pavements and underground services is as follows:
| £ million | |||
| Financial year | RAF Benson | RAF Lyneham | RAF Odiham |
| (1) Forecast. | |||
Information on upgrading the built estate assets at RAF Benson and RAF Lyneham is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the evidence given by the Permanent Under-Secretary of State in his Department to the Public Accounts Committee on 19th November 2008 on the UK's Future Nuclear Deterrent Capability, what recent estimate he has made of the procurement cost of four submarines and their associated equipment and infrastructure; and if he will make a statement. [239959]
Mr. Hutton: As the December 2006 White Paper, The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent (Cm 6994), makes clear, our initial estimate is that the procurement costs will be in the range of £15 billion to £20 billion for a four-boat solution at 2006-07 prices. The programme is currently is the Concept phase and the costs will be refined as experts continue to engage in detailed discussion with industry.
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to increase the number of nuclear watchkeepers to oversee the safety of the nuclear propulsion units in nuclear powered submarines. [238556]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The shortage of nuclear Watchkeepers does not affect nuclear safety. The impact of manpower shortages is considered, among other factors, by the relevant safety committees to ensure that standards are not degraded.
Measures taken to address the shortfall of nuclear Watchkeepers include: financial, with regard to submarine pay; the restructuring of the engineering branches; modifying career pipelines to deliver suitably trained personnel earlier in their careers; increased recruiting of submariners and encouraging transfers of experienced technicians from other engineering branches.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of using the Tornado GR4 to carry (a) 540lb freefall airburst/impact bombs, (b) Maverick Missiles and (c) Paveway 4 (500lb class GPS/LGB). [239740]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth:
No estimate has been made of the cost of allowing the Tornado GR4 to carry the 5401b freefall airburst/impact bombs or the Maverick Missiles. There is no requirement to integrate these additional weapon systems into Tornado GR4 because
the platform already has similar capabilities. An interim Paveway IV capability is planned to be integrated onto the Tornado GR4 as part of an Operation Herrick Urgent Operational Requirement at an estimated cost of up to £4milllion. Full integration will follow as part of the Tornado Capability Upgrade Strategy.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) aircrew and (b) ground crew members of the Royal Air Force serving with a Tornado GR4 front line squadron have broken harmony guidelines in the last three years. [239741]
Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Information on numbers of RAF air and ground crew personnel who may have broken harmony guidelines in the last three years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, on average, Tornado squadrons spend two months out of every 14 deployed on Operation TELIC.
Mr. Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the statement by the then Foreign Secretary on 14 March 2007, Official Report, column 309, on Trident, what reports his Department has made on the Trident programme in the last six months; and when he plans to make the next regular report to Parliament. [239956]
Mr. Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend, the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Mr Davies) gave on 20 November 2008, Official Report, columns 671-2W to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr Davies).
Mr. Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the evidence given by the Permanent Under-Secretary of State in his Department to the Public Accounts Committee on 19th November 2008 on the UK's Future Nuclear Deterrent Capability, what the approved procedure is for the initial gateway report on the Trident replacement programme; and if he will make a statement. [239958]
Mr. Quentin Davies: The Future Nuclear Deterrent capability programme is subject, like all major acquisition programmes, to the Ministry of Defence approvals and scrutiny process detailed in the Ministry's Acquisition Operating Framework. The Acquisition Operating Framework is available on the Ministry of Defence's internet site at
www.aof.mod.uk.
The next major approval point is the platform's Initial Gate when the MOD Investment Approvals Board will decide if it is ready to enter the assessment phase that leads to the Main Gate decision point.
Mr. Kilfoyle:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the evidence given by the Permanent Under-Secretary of State in his Department to the Public Accounts Committee on 19th November 2008 on the UK's Future Nuclear Deterrent Capability, what the reasons are for the delay on the (a) Trident replacement programmes and (b) Astute-class submarine programme at Barrow; what estimate he has made of
the additional costs arising from these delays; and if he will make a statement. [239960]
Mr. Quentin Davies: There was a six week delay in the two-year concept phase for the Trident successor programme due to the speed of contract letting and the build up and mobilisation of capacity in the supplier base. The Department has since taken action to bring the programme back on schedule and is confident that the submarine concept phase can still be completed in time for initial gate in Autumn 2009. This has not led to any additional costs.
There have been a number of reasons for the delays to the Astute programme, but the underlying cause has been the near 10-year gap in production between the Vanguard and Astute classes, which led to valuable staff and skills being lost. As a result, BAE Systems has had to refresh these skills and recruit the staff numbers needed for a project of this size and complexity. The cost of the first three Astute boats was approved in 1997 at £2.5 billion; the current forecast is £3.8 billion.
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the available skills base required for the trident nuclear submarine replacement programme; and if he will make a statement. [238557]
Mr. Quentin Davies: MOD recognises that building the skills required, both in the Department and in industry, to successfully deliver the Trident nuclear submarine replacement programme in the future will be challenging.
Initial work is underway to identify the necessary future skills base, building on and learning from experience with the astute programme.
An initial audit of the projected skills requirements of the MOD's Future Submarines Directorate for the life of the programme has been undertaken and actions are underway to address its recommendations. These include a significantly increased graduate recruitment and post graduate training programme in the nuclear area, robust succession planning and a significantly increased programme of advanced modern apprenticeships.
We are working closely with Cogent, the Sector Skills Council that covers the nuclear industry, and with the industrial supply chain, including BAE Systems Submarines, Rolls-Royce and Babcock Maritime to address and promote an adequate skills base for the life of the programme. We also continue to work closely with the United States on this issue.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2008, Official Report, column 419W, on Department written questions, what the cost of preparing that answer was. [239292]
Mr. Kevan Jones: The cost of preparing the answer was £85.25.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made of the risk to the public from bendy buses. [238844]
Jim Fitzpatrick: Vehicle safety matters are usually dealt with by the Department for Transport and its Agencies. All Public Service Vehicles operating on our roads, including so called “bendy buses”, are inspected prior to entering service to ensure they comply with the relevant safety regulations. The Department for Transport is currently reviewing the safety of all heavy vehicles including on buses and coaches.
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving cyclist (a) injuries and (b) deaths have involved collisions with (i) cars, (ii) vans, (iii) heavy goods vehicles, (iv) motorbikes, (v) other cyclists and (vi) pedestrians in each of the last 10 years. [237929]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of reported personal injury road collisions involving a pedal cycle and another vehicle or an injured pedestrian in which at least one pedal cyclist was (a) injured and (b) killed are shown in the following tables.
In collisions involving more than two vehicles, information on the type of collision between the vehicles involved can not be reliably determined. In 2007, there were a total of 458 accidents involving more than two vehicles in which a pedal cyclist was injured, and six collisions involving more than two vehicles in which a pedal cyclist was killed.
| (a) Injuries | ||||||
| Two vehicle accidents in which at least one pedal cyclist was injured: other vehicle involved | ||||||
| Car | LGV | HGV | Motorcycle | Other pedal cycle | Single vehicle accidents in which a pedal cyclist was injured with at least one pedestrian casualty( 1) | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1564W—continued
| ( b ) Deaths | ||||||
| Two vehicle accidents in which at least one pedal cyclist was killed : other vehicle involved | ||||||
| Car | LGV | HGV | Motorcycle | Other pedal cycle | Single vehicle accidents in which a pedal cyclist was killed with at least one pedestrian casualty( 1) | |
| (1) Details of uninjured pedestrians involved in accidents are not held. | ||||||
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many incidents of dangerous driving were recorded on (a) motorways, (b) the M1 and (c) A roads in each year since 1990; [239834]
(2) how many fatal incidents involving dangerous driving were recorded on each motorway in each year since 1990. [239836]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is not collected centrally.
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are in place to reduce levels of dangerous driving on motorways. [239835]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The police enforce against the offence of dangerous driving, which carries a penalty of disqualification and up to a two-year custodial sentence (and causing death by dangerous driving, with up to a 14-year custodial sentence), on all roads.
The police also enforce against careless driving (with a maximum penalty of disqualification and a level 5 fine) and, since August, the offence of causing death by careless driving (with a maximum penalty of disqualification and up to a five-year custodial sentence) has also been available.
We are currently consulting on proposals to make careless driving a fixed penalty offence, which would allow the police to enforce against bad driving with a minimum of bureaucracy. The consultation, which includes examples of “careless” driving can be found online at:
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238936]
Mr. Hoon: The information requested for absence (a) can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The Department for Transport was established following machinery of government changes in May 2002. Sickness absence is monitored by the central Department and its agencies on a monthly basis. All figures are shown in average working days lost (AWDL):
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 | 2010-11 Cabinet Office target | |
The figures to 2006 have been previously published in the “National Audit Office Report: The management of staff sickness absence in the Department for Transport and its agencies”. The figures are based on an agreed departmental reporting methodology. Figures for 2007 onwards are in accordance with the Cabinet Office reporting methodology introduced for all Government Departments.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department and its agencies have spent on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years. [237441]
| £ | |||||||||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |||||||
| (a) Flat screen TVs | (b) DVD players | (c) Stereo equipment | (a) Flat screen TVs | (b) DVD players | (c) Stereo equipment | (a) Flat screen TVs | (b) DVD players | (c) Stereo equipment | |
| (1) Includes installation costs (2) Total expenditure incurred within the last three years is as follows: (a) £4,450, (b) £700, (c) £0. Detailed breakdown by year is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The equipment is used for aircraft accident investigation purposes such as analysing witness video and monitoring news coverage of air accidents. (3) The equipment is used for rail accident investigation purposes such as analysing witness video and monitoring news coverage of rail accidents. (4) Relates to calendar year 2008 (5) Total expenditure incurred within the last three years is as follows: (a) £30,000, (b) 250, (c) £0. Detailed breakdown by year is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Expenditure on flat screen televisions covers the entire estate, including Regional Control Centres. (6) The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. | |||||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1566W—continued
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed in the Senior Civil Service within his Department on (a) 1st April 2007, (b) 1st April 2008 and (c) 20th November 2008; and what the total basic wage bill was for such staff, excluding bonuses in the last 12 months. [239719]
Mr. Hoon: The number of staff employed in the senior civil service (SCS) in the Department for Transport is set out in the following table. Figures are not readily available for the precise dates requested, but numbers for 31 January 2007 and 31 March 2008 are taken from the Department for Transport Annual Reports for 2007 and 2008 respectively. The total annual basic wage bill for the SCS, excluding bonuses, was £15,932,486 at 31 March 2008.
| Number of SCS staff | |
John McDonnell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of bonuses paid to members of
the Senior Civil Service in his Department was in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09 to date. [239720]
Mr. Hoon: The total cost of bonuses paid to members of the senior civil service in the Department for Transport in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) the current financial year to date is set out in the following table:
| Total cost of bonuses (£) | |
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many press officers were employed by his Department in each year since its inception; and what the total budget for press and communications in his Department was in each year. [228131]
Mr. Hoon: The Department for Transport and Executive agencies employ press officers, who liaise with media on behalf of Ministers. The average full time equivalent (FTE) number of staff employed on press officer activities are set out in the following table.
| Staff FTE | ||||||
| Department for Transport | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| (1) VOSA were the Vehicle Inspectorate in this fiscal year. | ||||||
The Department’s major areas of press and communications spend were in support of our marketing activities on the THINK! road safety campaign, Act on CO2 campaign, Concessionary Bus Fares campaign, aviation security and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s continuous registration campaign. Figures for the Department and Executive agencies since the 2002-03 fiscal year are outlined as follows.
| Marketing costs (£) | ||||||
| Department for Transport | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| n/a = Not available (1) Figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost Note: Figure from May 2002 because of accounting changes | ||||||
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239644]
Mr. Hoon: There have been a very small number of instances during the last three years where exercises have been cancelled and thereby costs have been incurred with no contract awarded. For the Department for Transport, this would normally amount to the effort expended on the procurement exercise before its cancellation. The precise number and costs involved are not recorded.
The Department has not reimbursed any supplier during the last three years for costs that they have incurred as a result of tendering for any contract advertised by the Department where the award process for that contract was subsequently cancelled.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many managers in the Driving Standards Agency have attended horse whispering courses; and at what cost; [234065]
(2) what the content is of the horse whispering courses that managers in the Driving Standards Agency have attended; and what the training objectives are for those managers to attend such courses. [234066]
Jim Fitzpatrick [holding answer 10 November 2008]: Five managers from the Driving Standards Agency attended a two day course on leadership, communication and management skills, organised by The Beyond Partnership. The total cost of the course was £7,000 plus VAT, including overnight accommodation.
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the number of learner drivers from Southend who travelled to (a) Chelmsford and (b) Gillingham to take their driving tests in 2008; [237734]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of driving tests per month which the Southend test centre was able to accommodate in 2008; [237735]
(3) what estimate he has made of the number of driving tests per month which the new Basildon test centre is able to accommodate; [237736]
(4) what estimate he has made of the number of driving tests per month which the Basildon test centre was able to accommodate before the establishment of the new test centre. [237737]
Jim Fitzpatrick: During 2008, two people with a postcode that includes Southend (SS) took tests at Gillingham. There were no tests taken at Chelmsford by people with a postcode that includes Southend residents.
Southend Test Centre was able to accommodate, on average, almost 800 tests per month with eight examiners. The average number of test conducted each month so far in 2008 was 780.
Basildon Multi-purpose Test Centre (MPTC) has an average monthly capacity of 980 car practical tests. Forecast demand for car practical tests at Basildon MPTC is 9,494 per annum—an average of around 800 tests per month. Basildon did not previously have a test centre. The MPTC is a new centre which has absorbed the facility at Southend.
Mr. Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the effect of the introduction of multi-purpose practical driving test centres on levels of (a) car and motorcycle mileage and (b) carbon dioxide emissions. [239472]
Jim Fitzpatrick: There has been no appraisal undertaken on either the increased mileage or carbon emissions resulting from the introduction of multi-purpose test centres.
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of driving tests booked at Basildon test centre which will be taken by learner drivers who had booked a driving test at the Southend centre. [237733]
Jim Fitzpatrick: No estimate has been made. All tests booked at Southend Driving Test Centre up until 5 December will be conducted there.
The Driving Standards Agency stopped taking bookings for Southend Driving Test Centre on 22 August and the centre will close on 5 December. Bookings made for tests to be conducted from 15 December will have been made for Basildon Multi-purpose Test Centre.
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many days in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available runway alternation at Heathrow Airport has been (a) fully and (b) partially suspended (i) overall and (ii) during the morning peak. [239460]
Jim Fitzpatrick [holding answer 25 November 2008]: Figures are collected by BAA, and are expressed in terms of the percentage of flights that arrive outside of alternation, on a monthly basis.
Runway alternation during the hours of 6 am to 7 am takes place on a trial basis, and formed part of the Adding Capacity at Heathrow airport consultation. However the statistics do not take account of this i.e. flights that arrive outside of alternation during 6 am to 7 am are included in the figures.
The statistics also include periods such as September and October 2006 where alternation was not possible because of runway and maintenance works.
| Month | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1572W—continued
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department left under (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) his Department and (Z) each of his Department’s agencies. [237344]
Mr. Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to my answer given today (UIN 239154). The additional information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of his Department’s staff who left under (a) an involuntary and (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if he will make a statement. [239154]
Mr. Hoon: The central Department and its agencies recorded the following exits in the last three financial years:
| Number of exits | ||||
| Size of severance package (£) | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
The Department has run a small number of voluntary exits schemes. All applications were reviewed by a panel, taking into account the Department’s efficiency targets, the future need for certain skills and grades and overall value for money. As agreed with the trades union, we made no compulsory redundancies and therefore have had no involuntary exits. Exits for reasons such as discipline or performance are not captured on this table.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency could only provide the information requested at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost was to his Department of the objections to the stopping up order at the highway between the Knapp and Castle Street, Dursley resulting in an enquiry having to be held. [239526]
Paul Clark: The Stopping Up Order between The Knapp and Castle street, Dursley did not result in a Public Inquiry being held.
The Order was made by the Secretary of State on 5 November 2008 following a sole objection which was not made by a local authority or statutory utility supplier. The Secretary of State was satisfied that because of the special circumstances of the case, the holding of a Public Inquiry was unnecessary (Town and Country Planning Act 1990 S252 (5) refers). The Secretary of State subsequently took a decision to make the Order following the consideration of the written representations of the objector and the applicant. A copy of the decision letter was copied to the relevant parties on 5 November 2008.
No records of costs incurred by the Department are held in connection with the processing of an application for a Stopping Up Order, including for those which attract objections and which are dealt with either through a written representations procedure or by the holding of a Public Local Inquiry.
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the cost when first submitted for Targeted Programme of Improvements approval was of each current Government-funded local authority and Highways Agency road scheme; what the latest cost estimates are for each; and what the percentage change is between the two; [237837]
(2) what the cost was when first submitted for Targeted Programme of Improvements approval of each completed Government-funded local authority and Highways Agency road scheme; and what the cost was at completion in each case. [237838]
Paul Clark: There were originally 113 schemes in the Highways Agency’s targeted programme of improvements (TPI). The TPI only included Government funded Highways Agency schemes.
59 have now been completed and are operational;
16 are currently in the construction phase;
15 are currently in the development phase;
16 are currently in the options phase (including one original TPI scheme that has now been split into two contracts); and
eight have either been remitted, withdrawn or transferred to another promoter.
Updated cost figures for TPI schemes in the development and construction phases were published in July 2008.
Tables showing the updated cost details (where available for release) for each TPI scheme that has either been completed or is in the construction, development and options phases of the Highways Agency’s Project Control Framework have been placed in the Library of the House.
Local authority schemes were not part of the TPI. Estimates for the local authority major schemes, costing over £5 million, were first published by the Department in June 2008. Any change in estimated cost has been made with reference to the cost estimate at programme entry (which is not the same as TPI entry).
Tables showing the updated cost details for each local authority major scheme have also been placed in the Libraries of the House.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2008, Official Report, column 271W, on the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, if he will list the legislation for the purposes of which (a) the Department and (b) a departmental agency may be the employer in accordance with its delegated powers. [239718]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The Crown is the employer of all those who work in Government Departments and agencies. However, pursuant to their delegated powers, individual Departments and agencies set the terms and conditions of employment for their staff.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Solicitor-General what steps have been taken following the police investigations conducted in 2006 on the insertion of faked documents into files at the National Archives; and if she will make a statement. [238405]
The Solicitor-General: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 12 December 2007, Official Report , column 573W.
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Solicitor General what assessment she has made of the implications of the OECD's recent report on corporate corruption for the work of the Serious Fraud Office on such cases. [231598]
The Solicitor-General: The report highlights some historic areas of concern to the Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions. The recently appointed Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) attended the OECD's last meeting to give a report and answer questions.
As part of its overall transformation programme, the SFO is significantly increasing the resources it is deploying on counter-corruption work and has created a unit solely responsible for this area of work. This will be headed by a senior officer with considerable experience of counter-corruption work. He will work in partnership with key stakeholders and partners to ensure that the SFO builds on recent successful outcomes, including its first conviction for corruption offences, which was achieved in September this year.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor-General what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) the Attorney-General’s Office and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997-98; what the target rates set for the Office are in each case; and if she will make a statement. [239145]
The Solicitor-General: The Cabinet Office maintains central records on sick absence which are published annually on the civil service website. The figures following, taken from the Cabinet Guidance, show sick leave absences from 2003, there are no previous years published on the website. In 2003, the Attorney-General’s Office (or Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, as it was then known) reported separately which is why the total number of staff is 29. In subsequent years, Attorney-General’s Office figures are combined with the Treasury Solicitors Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.
| Number of staff—year | Average working days absence per staff—year | |
The NFSA was established as an Executive Agency of the Attorney-General’s Office on 1 October 2008, and so annual statistics on absence and sickness are not yet available.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor-General how many civil servants have been employed by each of the Attorney-General's Office's agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. [239142]
The Solicitor-General: With a couple of exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office “Public Bodies” publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor-General how much (a) the Attorney-General's Office and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. [239143]
The Solicitor-General: The Attorney-General's Office has incurred the following costs on external consultancy:
| Costs (£000) | |
| (1 )Accounting records are held back to 1998-99; the costs of providing this information prior to this would be disproportionate. | |
No expenditure has been incurred by the NFSA on external consultancy since its establishment as an Executive Agency of the Attorney-General's Office on 1 October 2008.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1575W—continued
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor-General how many employees in the Attorney-General’s Office took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238967]
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor- General (1) how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by the Attorney-General's Office in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year; [238953]
(2) how many press officers were employed in the Attorney-General's Office in each year since 1997-98; what the total cost was in each year; and if she will make a statement. [239119]
The Solicitor-General: The Attorney General's Office does not employ special advisers; the following table shows the figures for the press officers employed.
| Number of press officers | Costs in (£s) | |
| Note: Records prior to 2000 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. | ||
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor General how much (a) the Attorney-General's Office and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. [239144]
The Solicitor-General: The Attorney General's Office has not incurred any publicity costs. Costs for advertising are shown in the following table:
| Advertising Costs AGO | |
| £ | |
| (1) Accounting records are held back to 1998-99; the costs of providing this information prior to this would be disproportionate. | |
No expenditure has been incurred by the NFSA on publicity and advertising since its establishment as an Executive Agency of the Attorney General's Office on 1 October 2008.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor-General what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by her Department; and what budget each has been set for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [236932]
The Solicitor-General: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20 October 2008, Official Report, column 58W.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor General how many press releases have been issued by the Attorney-General's Office in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. [238988]
The Solicitor-General: The following table shows the number of press releases since 2003, records were not held prior to 2003.
| Press releases | |
| Number | |
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Solicitor-General what criteria are used to determine whether a fraud case is prosecuted by the (a) Serious Fraud Office and (b) Fraud Prosecution Service. [229421]
The Solicitor-General [holding answer 23 October 2008]: Serious Fraud Office and Fraud Prosecution Service decisions on whether or not to prosecute an offence, of any kind, are taken in accordance with the principles set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors, issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions under Section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
Cases must meet one or more of the following criteria: the allegations involve a loss, or risk of loss more than £750,000 for the Fraud Prosecution Service or in excess of £1 million for the Serious Fraud Office; there is a national publicity and/or wide spread public concern; highly specialised knowledge is required; a significant element of the case involves inquiries in a foreign jurisdiction.
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Solicitor-General what the respective responsibilities are of the (a) Serious Fraud Office and (b) Fraud Prosecution Service; and what arrangements are in place to ensure effective liaison between the two organisations. [230930]
The Solicitor-General: The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) both investigates and prosecutes the most serious or complex cases involving fraud or corruption. This dual function makes the SFO unique among the UK’s counter-fraud and counter-corruption agencies.
The Fraud Prosecution Service is responsible for prosecuting fraud cases which fall within its acceptance criteria.
The Serious Fraud Office and the Fraud Prosecution Service have regular liaison at senior management level, and generic and specific issues arising from the investigation and prosecution of fraud cases are formally raised at the Joint Vetting Committee to ensure the effective and appropriate disposal of fraud allegations.
David Simpson: To ask the Solicitor-General how many staff in her Department did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report in the latest reporting year for which figures are available. [235212]
The Solicitor-General: In the last reporting period the Crown Prosecution Service issued six Performance Improvement Notices. For the other Law Officers Departments (Attorney General's Office, Treasury Solicitor's Department, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, Serious Fraud Office and Revenue Customs and Prosecutions Office) there have been less than five members of staff that did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Solicitor-General how much the Attorney-General’s Office has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much she estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if she will make a statement. [239047]
The Solicitor-General: The Attorney-General’s Office has not spent any money on (a) focus groups or (b) opinion polls since 1997.
David Simpson: To ask the Solicitor-General how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which the Law Offices' Departments are responsible have been (a) investigated and (b) upheld in the last 12 months. [236905]
The Solicitor-General: There have been less than five racial abuse complaints relating to staff in the Law Officer's Departments in the last 12 months, therefore this information cannot be provided on grounds of confidentiality.
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Solicitor-General whether any Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigations, apart from that into BAe, have been discontinued by the Head of the SFO following receipt of advice from the Attorney-General in the last five years. [231599]
The Solicitor-General: Under section 1(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 the Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) discharges his functions under the superintendence of the Attorney-General, who in turn is accountable to Parliament. As part of that relationship the Director may consult the Attorney-General, including about sensitive or difficult cases. The Attorney-General has never sought to direct the Director to take any particular decision.
In all cases, the decision whether or not to proceed with an investigation or prosecution (including the decision to discontinue the investigation into the affairs of BAE Systems plc in so far as they related to the Al-Yamamah defence contract) has been taken by the director of the SFO, and not by the Attorney-General.
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Solicitor-General what support and services the Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Richard Alderman, has provided to the Fraud Prosecution Service (FPS) in his role as an external consultant since the FPS was established; and if she will make a statement. [230931]
The Solicitor-General: Richard Alderman has never acted as a consultant to the Fraud Prosecution Service (FPS). He was however very happy to contribute to Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate’s review of the FPS and was accordingly interviewed by a member of the review team.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2008, Official Report, column 461W, on Members: allowances (1) in which circumstances hon. Members may (a) carry forward an unspent balance and (b) ask for an advance in respect of the communication allowance; [239569]
(2) whether the (a) carry forward and (b) advance provisions apply to expenditure transferred in to the communications allowance from (i) incidental expenses provision and (ii) the staffing allowance. [239570]
Chris Bryant: The Green Book rules allow hon. Members some flexibility to transfer funds between years in respect of the communications allowance, the incidental expenses provision and the staffing allowance.
In all cases, Members must seek the agreement of the Department of Resources based on a specific need or circumstance.
Nine requests to carry forward funds from the communications allowance from 2007-08 to 2008-09 were agreed by the Department of Resources. Eight of these were related to difficulties with contractor delivery or invoicing as the financial year came to an end. One case concerned a Member who was unavoidably absent and was unable to complete a project within the year. No Member has requested an advance of funds from a prospective financial year.
The Department of Resources would consider on its merits a request to transfer of funds from the communications allowance to a new financial year if the Member had previously transferred another allowance into the communications allowance.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2008, Official Report, column 461W, on Members: allowances, whether hon. Members are able to spend the communications allowance during the period once a general election has been announced but Parliament has not yet been dissolved. [239714]
Chris Bryant: Members can only incur costs against the Communications Allowance for the period prior to the Dissolution of the House. The rules for the use of allowances around the time of a general election are set out in the booklet “General Election Arrangements: Rules for Members”. This states that
“Claims from the Communications Allowance which relate to the period after the date the House is dissolved will not be met. Entitlement to the allowances recommences on the day after polling day for returned Members. The use of such resources is prohibited during the dissolution.”
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw, 13 October 2008, Official Report, columns 846-47W, on the parliamentary resources unit, how much has been paid to the Trades Union Party Liaison Organisation through the Department of Resources and its predecessors in each year since 2003-04. [239715]
Chris Bryant: The Department of Resources has no record of any payment to the Trades Union Party Liaison Organisation for the period in question.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1580W—continued
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many employees in his Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238968]
Ann McKechin: All staff in the Scotland Office are on secondment from the Scottish Executive or the Ministry of Justice who remain their employer and have the responsibility for the operation of any early retirement schemes. The Office has incurred no costs.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year. [239086]
Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. Since that date the number and cost of special advisers and press officers is as follows:
| Special advisers | Press officers | ||
| Number | Number | Cost | |
| (1) Relates to number in post as at 31 March in any given year. | |||
Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the number of special advisers in each pay band. For the recent information, I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, on 22 July 2008, Official Report, column 99-101WS. Information on the costs of special advisers prior to 2003 was provided at regular intervals and this information will be available in the Library of the House.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238989]
Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office came into existence on 1 July 1999. We do not hold information on the number of press releases issued by the former Scottish Office between 1997-98. The figures for the calendar years 1999 to 2007 are provided in the following table.
| Press releases | |
| (1) Partial year. (2) 2008 year to date (1 January to 25 November) | |
The Scotland Office Press Office has a wide-ranging role within the Department which goes beyond the issuing of press releases. These figures do not include information issued orally in response to media inquiries, articles, operational and diary notes, nor do they include the Office's collaborative work with other Government Departments regarding press and media activity in Scotland.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many holdings claimed payments under the single payment scheme in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by holdings of (a) less than one hectare, (b) between one and five hectares, (c) between five and 20 hectares, (d) between 20 and 50 hectares, (e) between 50 and 100 hectares and (f) more than 100 hectares. [230703]
Jane Kennedy: The Rural Payments Agency is the accredited Paying Agency for the Common Agricultural Policy within England and, as such, does not hold information for Single Payment Scheme (SPS) claimants in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The following table shows the number of claims paid by holding size for English SPS claimants in 2007.
| Size group | Number |
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what administrative costs were incurred in respect of processing claims made under the single farm payments scheme in each of the last five years; [236612]
(2) what the (a) administrative and (b) legal costs incurred by his Department in relation to outstanding claims made under the Single Farm Payment Scheme were in each of the last five years; [238732]
(3) how much his Department has spent on administering non-compliance penalties made under the Single Farm Payment Scheme since the scheme came into operation. [238733]
Jane Kennedy [holding answer 26 November 2008]: The costs of administering the single payment scheme are as follows:-
| £ million | |
These costs exclude the investment in new systems and improvement projects.
It is not possible to identify expenditure associated with non-compliance penalties or in relation to outstanding claims.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of decoupling under the Common Agricultural Policy in each EU member state for benchmarking purposes. [238096]
Jane Kennedy: The extent of decoupling in each member state is set out in the European Commission's own table, which can be found on the European Commission's website
www.ec.europa.eu
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which commoners’ associations that were previously responsible for the operation of the Single Farm Payment are now no longer carrying out that function. [238143]
Jane Kennedy: The data requested is not held centrally and therefore to answer the question would incur disproportionate cost to the Department.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people on Minchinhampton Common, Gloucestershire are entitled to receive single farm payments; and how many such people received single farm payments in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [238144]
Jane Kennedy: There are a total of four customers who have claimed on registered rights on Minchinhampton Common and are entitled and eligible to receive payment under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) for the 2008 scheme year.
Since the introduction of the SPS in 2005, the volume of customers who have received payment under the SPS, who have also declared registered rights on Minchinhampton Common are as follows:
| Number | |
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Minchinhampton Commoners' Association on the operation of the single farm payment scheme on the common. [238145]
Jane Kennedy: The Minchinhampton Commoners Association's case has been analysed in great detail. Unfortunately the Minchinhampton Commoners Association fails to meet the specific criteria which allows Commoners Associations to claim the single payment scheme payment.
Until such time as the Minchinhampton Commoners Association provides evidence that it meets the criteria we are unable to take any further action.
I am, however, content to meet the MCA to discuss their concerns.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what estimate his Department has made of the potential taxpayer liability for fines disallowance or other penalties as a result of late payment of the Single Farm Payment Scheme and other precursor common agricultural schemes since 1997; [239297]
(2) pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1181-4W, on the Rural Development Programme, if he will provide the figures requested, excluding projects where ERDP legacy payments were made after 1st January 2007; [239359]
(3) pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1183-6W, on the Rural Development Programme, if he will provide the figures requested where ERDP legacy payments were made after 1 January 2007; [239360]
(4) on what date the EU target of 96.14 per cent. of payments by value under the Single Payment Scheme in England was met in each of the scheme years to date; and when he expects the target to be met for the 2008 scheme year; [239432]
(5) how much and to how many claimants he expects to have been paid under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme by 25 December 2008; [239433]
(6) what fines, disallowance or other penalties the Government has received to date as a result of late payment of the Single Payment Scheme and other precursor common agricultural schemes since 1997. [239434]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how much the Government has paid in fines to the European Union as a result of late payments made under the Single Farm Payment scheme; and how much it has allocated to meet the costs of such penalties arising in the next 12 months; [239974]
(2) in which years his Department (a) has and (b) has not met the EU target for making single farm payments on time since the scheme was established; and how many single farm payments have been made late to date. [239987]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many foreign workers were registered under the HOPS scheme in 2008, broken down by nationality. [224829]
Mr. Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
The HOPS student exchange programme (HOPS) is not administered by the UK Border Agency.
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has applied for a derogation from compliance with the EU Air Quality Directive. [238661]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1584W—continued
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which areas around Heathrow breach the emission limits contained in the EU Air Quality Directive which are due to come into force in 2010. [238637]
Huw Irranca-Davies: Council Directive 2008/50/EC on Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe consolidates existing EU legislation and must be transposed into national legislation by 10 June 2010.
Over the past 10 years the quality of our air has improved and, apart from some hotspots alongside busy roads in major cities, we are meeting our current objectives for all pollutants in 99 per cent. of the UK. Nitrogen dioxide remains the main pollutant of concern around Heathrow. Under existing and new EU legislation, the limit value for nitrogen dioxide comes into force in 2010.
Monitoring data shows that in the Heathrow area there were exceedences of the annual limit value (40 microgrammes per metre cubed) in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The following table gives annual average measurements for the two national network sites in the Heathrow area:
| Annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentration (micrograms per metre cubed) | |||
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
The Harlington site is closer to the airport, but does not show exceedences of the limit value. The Hillingdon site is around 30metres from the M4 motorway. The precise location of all of the monitoring sites in the national network can be found at:
www.bv-aurnsiteinfo.co.uk/.
www.airquality.co.uk.
The new directive provides in Article 22 for postponement of attainment deadlines for meeting the limit values for nitrogen dioxide for five years (until 2015). This reflects the challenges faced across EU member states in meeting the current deadlines. Current projections show that we are unlikely to meet the 2010 deadline in some parts of the UK. The UK is, therefore, likely to submit an application to secure additional time to meet the limit value.
Securing such postponement of attainment deadlines is subject to submission of detailed plans that will need to satisfy the Commission that the limit values can be achieved by the extended deadlines. We are determined to tackle remaining hotspots of pollution, and to meet our EU obligations.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the future plans are for the Dog and Cat Travel and Risk Information surveillance systems. [236356]
Jane Kennedy: The voluntary DACTARI (dog and cat travel and risk information) system for reporting exotic diseases diagnosed in companion animals provides a formal surveillance system for monitoring the number of cases of Leishmaniasis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Dirofilariasis. Data on the incidence of these diseases is collected and my Department, in conjunction with the Animal Health Agency, is looking at how to best record and update this information on the DEFRA website.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions there have been for illegal actions relating to badgers in each of the last five years; how many of these were successful; and what advice he now offers police forces on this issue. [239533]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on water quality at English beaches and the Blue Flag scheme. [239809]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Bee Health Advisory Panel last met; what matters were discussed; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of the meeting. [237580]
Jane Kennedy: The Bee Health Advisory Panel (BHAP) last met on 30 October 2007 to identify high level priorities and objectives for the Bee Health Strategy. The minutes of all BHAP meetings are published on the National Bee Unit’s Beebase website at:
www.Beebase.csl.gov.uk
The future liaison arrangements between all stakeholders, including the BHAP, are addressed in the Bee Health Strategy, which will be published early in 2009 subject to completion of the NAO’s study on the bee health programme.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding has been provided by his Department to support voluntary bee-keeping groups in each region in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [238205]
Jane Kennedy: No direct funding is made available specifically for beekeeping groups, but as part of the bee health programme undertaken by the National Bee Unit DEFRA provides a free advisory and inspection service, including training and education, for all beekeepers. The overall cost of the programme is £1.3 million per annum in England.
Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he last made an assessment of the effectiveness of the operation of the Bee Diseases Control Order 1982. [237581]
Jane Kennedy: The Bee Diseases Control Order 1982 was replaced by the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 2006. The operation of the order was reviewed at DEFRA's annual meeting with beekeeping associations which took place on 5 December 2006.
Since then, in conjunction with stakeholders, DEFRA has produced a draft bee health strategy which identifies a series of priorities for taking forward work under the bee health programme, and for implementing the controls under the current legislation.
Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent guidance his Department has provided to (a) hobbyist and (b) commercial bee-keepers on (i) management of healthy hives and (ii) detection and reporting of bee diseases. [237582]
Jane Kennedy: The National Bee Unit (NBU) provides a free comprehensive training and education programme for all beekeepers to enable them to develop their skills and become more self-reliant in combating disease problems through improved bee husbandry. In 2008, beekeepers in England benefited from nearly 23,000 colony inspections and an extensive programme of training, including over 800 technical events to date, delivered by the NBU to help improve disease control through good apiary management.
Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) hobbyist and (b) commercial bee-keepers there are in each local authority area in England; and how many hives each type of bee-keeper has. [237583]
Jane Kennedy: Details of beekeepers and their colonies are not recorded by local authority area. Details of those registered on the National Bee Unit’s Beebase database are shown by county in the following table. As registration is voluntary, actual numbers are likely to be significantly higher. An Economic Evaluation of bee health carried out by ADAS Consulting Ltd in 2001, estimated that there were about 33,000 beekeepers and 230,000 colonies of bees in England of which less than 1 per cent. keep bees on a commercial basis.
| County | Number of beekeepers | Number of colonies |
| (1) Not known. | ||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1588W—continued
Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps will be taken to maintain levels of UK production of honey from 2009. [237584]
Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has consulted on a bee health strategy which is intended to develop beekeepers’ skills in maintaining honey bee colonies through increased awareness of disease problems and improved application of husbandry techniques.
The strategy recognises the importance of sharing responsibility between beekeepers and bee inspectors in monitoring bees for diseases and taking early action to tackle problems. Subject to completion of the National Audit Office’s study into the Animal Health programme, the bee health strategy will be published early in 2009.
However, honey production is also dependent on good weather in the months in which bees are active.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations his Department has received on the sustainability of the bee population; and if he will make a statement. [238201]
Jane Kennedy: Defra has received numerous parliamentary questions, letters from MPs, their constituents, beekeepers and their organisations, as well as a petition from the British Beekeepers’ Association. I and the Secretary of State and Defra Ministers have recently met representatives of beekeeping organisations. To help beekeepers maintain a sustainable population of honeybees, in consultation with their representatives Defra has developed a strategy for bee health, which addresses the development of beekeeping skills and allocates responsibilities for action. The strategy should be published early in 2009.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding has been provided by his Department for research into the impact of genetically-modified crops on bee colonies in each region in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [238203]
Jane Kennedy:
The only research that Defra has funded in relation to genetically modified (GM) crops and bees was as part of the Farm Scale Evaluation
(FSE) trials of GM herbicide-tolerant crops that took place between 1999 and 2003. These assessed the indirect effect on farmland wildlife of the novel herbicide use associated with cultivation of the GM crops, relative to their conventional counterparts, including the impact on bee abundance. A full explanation of this research and its findings is available on the Defra website. It is not possible to isolate specific expenditure figures for the bee monitoring work under the FSE programme.
A number of research studies have been done on the potential direct impact on bees of GM insect-resistant crops. As these crops are designed to be toxic to certain insect pests, there has been a specific reason to consider whether they might also have an effect on other, ‘non-target’ insect species. However, the research has not identified any cause for concern. These studies were not funded by Defra.
Under European Union legislation, GM crops will only be approved for release if a robust assessment indicates that there should not be any adverse effect on human health and the environment.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken to support the sustainability of bee colonies in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [238209]
Jane Kennedy: The National Bee Unit (NBU), delivers the bee health programme in England on behalf of DEFRA. The aim of the programme is to control the spread of endemic notifiable diseases of honey bees and to identify and manage the risk associated with new exotic pests and diseases that may be introduced.
The NBU operates a statutory inspection programme for notifiable diseases and pests, and provides a comprehensive training and education programme for beekeepers to enable them to become more self-reliant in combating disease problems through improved bee husbandry.
Details of the inspection and education programme since 1997 are as follows:
| Number of inspections | Number of training events | |
| (1) Includes Wales | ||
DEFRA recognises the contribution that honey bees make to sustainable agriculture via their role in pollination and take seriously any threat to the sustainability of the beekeeping sector. The development of the Government’s bee health strategy confirms our ongoing commitment to protecting and improving the health of honey bees and to sustaining and supporting beekeeping now and for future generations.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken to find an alternative to apivar; and if he will make a statement. [238200]
Jane Kennedy: The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) permits the importation of authorised medicinal products from other member states and is seeking information from them about the products they have authorised for the control of varroosis. The VMD has identified two such products in other member states that are eligible for mutual recognition and has asked the marketing authorisation holders of these products to apply for mutual recognition. If these applications are successful it will mean that these products can be marketed directly in the UK.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken to find alternative treatments for (a) pyrethroid resistance, (b) colony collapse disorder and (c) varroa in bees in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [238206]
Jane Kennedy: When inspectors find pyrethroid resistance in samples of Varroa, they advise beekeepers on alternative methods of control, including alternative chemical treatments and husbandry techniques. Information is also provided in published literature available to beekeepers and on the National Bee Unit's website, Beebase. Although the cause of colony collapse disorder in the USA is unknown, we do not have evidence to suggest that the losses experienced in the UK have a similar cause.
Varroa is almost ubiquitous. Inspectors provide advice during visits, through training courses and through published literature on alternatives to chemical controls for Varroa. DEFRA has funded research into a possible biocontrol for Varroa; discussions are now taking place on how to take this work forward.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding his Department has provided for research into (a) pyrethroid resistance, (b) colony collapse disorder and (c) varroa in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [238207]
Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has provided funding for research into pyrethroid resistance as part of projects assessing the impact of varroa and also under the bee health programme. It is not possible to separate out this funding from the overall total. The causes of the syndrome dubbed colony collapse disorder in the USA are currently unclear and we have no current evidence to suggest that it is occurring in the UK. DEFRA provided an additional £27,000 to the National Bee Unit for work related to abnormal colony losses in 2007-08 and with the Welsh Assembly Government provided £120,000 in the current year to continue this work. With respect to research into varroa, DEFRA and its predecessor have provided a total of £1,388,597 since 1997.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of levels of (a) pyrethroid resistance, (b) colony collapse disorder and (c) varroa in bees in each region in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [238208]
Jane Kennedy: Information on levels of pyrethroid resistance is available on the National Bee Unit’s “Beebase” website.
www.Beebase.csl.gov.uk
The information has not been collected for each year since 1997; a survey to determine the extent of resistance ran from 2000 to 2005.
In the absence of a clear cause for the syndrome dubbed colony collapse disorder in the USA and the lack of trade links between the USA and the UK DEFRA does not believe that a similar syndrome occurs in the UK. However, the level of colony loss, especially over-winter, is a concern.
Annual percentage losses recorded by inspectors since 1999 are as follows (figures for 1997 and 1998 are not available). Some 15 per cent. of colonies is inspected each year:
| Percentage | |
In respect of Varroa findings, I would refer to the answer given on 2 April 2008, Official Report, column 912W.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice he has received on the risk of an individual animal being diagnosed with blue-tongue during the period of high midge activity. [237137]
Jane Kennedy: The UK remains at risk from Bluetongue, whether from re-emergence of domestic disease, from windborne spread from the continent, or through animal imports. This risk is likely to remain for some time, depending in large part on the success of control measures in other countries. Vaccination is the only effective tool to protect susceptible animals from Bluetongue, and in line with other affected member states, we will shortly publish our plans for vaccination against BTV8 ahead of the 2009 vector season.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what obligations are placed on farmers who import stock from the blue-tongue protection zone in northern Europe. [237135]
Jane Kennedy: As of 3 November 2008, all of Great Britain became a single confluent Protection Zone for Bluetongue serotype 8 (BTV-8). Animals can be moved freely within this Protection Zone, and to and from other BTV-8 Protection Zones in Europe provided that they meet the generic import/export requirements and are accompanied by an Export Health Certificate which has been signed by an official veterinarian.
Movements of susceptible animals from Protection Zones for different serotypes are subject to the restrictions set out in Annex III of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1266/2007 (as amended).
DEFRA also conducts post-import tests on all susceptible animals imported from continental Europe, for all Bluetongue serotypes, and urges industry to consider the risks and check the health and vaccination status of animals when sourcing any animals, from within the UK or abroad. It is also the obligation of individual farmers to be vigilant and report any suspected Bluetongue cases to their local Animal Health Office.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision he has made for members of the blue-tongue stakeholder group to have direct access to scientists at the Institute of Animal Health. [237136]
Jane Kennedy: DEFRA consults with experts at the Institute of Animal Health (IAH) at Pirbright on a regular basis. DEFRA’s core group of industry stakeholders has the opportunity to regularly put questions to the experts, both at IAH Pirbright, and other experts (eg vets, epidemiologists), directly, or through questions considered by expert groups. The questions asked and advice sought from experts at DEFRA’s request are closely informed by discussions with the core group of stakeholders.
Mr. Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantities of vaccines for the (a) BTV1 and (b) BTV6 strains of bluetongue disease are (i) available and (ii) on order. [239221]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he plans to take following the judgment in the case of Partridge Farms Ltd v. the Secretary of State; and if he will make a statement. [238495]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The judgment in the High Court in Partridge Farms Ltd v. Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has been appealed to the Court of Appeal, which will hear the appeal in March 2009. Until the case is concluded, I do not propose to make a statement.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how much his Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made by (a) air and (b) rail; [239424]
(2) how many (a) rail and (b) plane tickets to Brussels his Department paid for visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007. [239426]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1593W—continued
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department and its agencies have made of the effects of emissions of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls into the air on public health. [235071]
Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
The independent expert advisory Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), advises the Department and other government departments and agencies, including the Health Protection Agency, on the health effects of emissions of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls. The Committee recommends the levels for the tolerable daily intake (TDI), which is the amount that can be ingested daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.
The TDI is expressed in World Health Organisation (WHO) - toxic equivalents per kilogram body weight per day (TEQ/kg bw/day). The WHO-TEQs are an internationally recognised method for considering the toxicity of mixtures of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, by comparing them to that of the most thoroughly studied dioxin, Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, based on considering their relative potencies.
The COT has recommended a tolerable daily intake for dioxins of two picograms WHO-TEQ/kg body weight/day based on the most sensitive effect in laboratory animals, namely, adverse effects on the developing foetus resulting from exposure in utero. As this was the most sensitive effect it will protect against the risks of other adverse effects including carcinogenicity. A copy of the full statement has been placed in the Library and is available at:
http://cot.food.gov.uk/cotstatements/cotstatementsyrs/cotstatements2001/dioxinsstate
The majority, more than 90 per cent. of non-occupational human exposure to dioxins occurs via the diet, with animal-based foodstuffs like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products being particularly important. Limited exposure may also occur via inhalation of air or ingestion of soil depending on circumstances. Provided that the strict emission limits on modern incinerators are adhered to, inhalation of dioxins is not a significant source of exposure for the general public. It has been estimated for example that current levels of dioxin emissions from incinerators accounts for less than 1 per cent of UK
emissions of dioxins. This data is available in a comprehensive review carried out for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in 2004 entitled Review of Environmental and Health Effects of Waste Management: Municipal Solid Waste and Similar Wastes. This is available through the DEFRA website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruits to be served by his Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers. [239726]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many legal proceedings naming his Department as a defending party are ongoing or unresolved; and if he will make a statement. [239728]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The number of legal proceedings where the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been named as a defending party which are ongoing or unresolved is 81.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many legal proceedings naming his Department as a defending party are under appeal. [239729]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The number of legal proceedings under appeal in which the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been named as the defending party is three.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision his Department has made in its budget for 2008-09 for potential civil liabilities stemming from legal proceedings. [239730]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken to improve its arrangements for co-ordination with other Government departments of policy affecting coastal towns in the last two years. [238650]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of the 2007-08 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget was allocated to the top 10 recipients of CAP payments. [239225]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238925]
Huw Irranca-Davies: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether food and drink on sale to staff of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds. [237416]
Huw Irranca-Davies: As part of its commercial contracting arrangements with its external catering services providers, subsidy is provided where the costs of overheads cannot be offset by the contribution of margin from food and beverage sales. The subsidy payable is reviewed regularly as part of contractual arrangements.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239094]
Huw Irranca-Davies: With a few exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office ‘Public Bodies’ publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239057]
Huw Irranca-Davies: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department and its agencies have spent on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years. [237433]
| £ | |
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much expenditure was incurred by his Department in respect of (a) Brenda Poller, (b) Absolute Energy, (c) Noreen Tehrani, (d) Alliance Mediation Management Ltd and (e) the Gaia Coach Institute in 2007-08; and for what purpose in each case. [233589]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The information requested is as follows:
| Name | Purpose | Expenditure (£) |
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much expenditure his Department incurred in respect of (a) Chitterybite Ceilidh Band, (b) Off Limits, (c) Fresh Attacks, (d) Catch 22, (e) George Noble, (f) Mountain Goat Ltd., (g) The Right Address Ltd., (h) Devon and Exeter Steeplechases Ltd. and (i) Solent Steam Packet Services Ltd in 2007-08; and for what purpose in each case. [238228]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The information requested is as follows:
| Vendor name | Purpose | Total (£) |
|
Temporary Staff used in a number of positions in Facilities Management areas | ||
|
Hire of a room for Responsibility and Cost Sharing Workshop in Exeter | ||
|
Committee Member responsibilities—LBUK Potato Sector Co. Board Interview Panel | ||
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which organisations provided media monitoring services to (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department in each of the last three years; and what the cost was of each such contract. [230180]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) has provided media monitoring services as follows to DEFRA:
| £ | |
Durrants provides DEFRA with a daily cuttings service at the following cost per calendar year:
| £ | |
DEFRA also subscribes to the Press Association newswire monitoring service at the following cost:
| £ | |
In addition since May 2008 DEFRA has used the transcript service of Wordsworth at a cost to date of £8,705.
All figures quoted exclude VAT
Information related to Media Monitoring costs for agencies of DEFRA and NDPBs sponsored by DEFRA could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1597W—continued
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for which Government websites his Department is responsible; how many visitors each received in the last period for which figures are available; and what the cost of maintaining each site was in that period. [235030]
Huw Irranca-Davies: Costs for maintaining DEFRA’s corporate website (www.defra.gov.uk) together with information on visitors were set out in my replies to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) and the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell), 18 November 2008, Official Report, column 299W and 24 November 2008, Official Report, column 838W.
Website addresses which are currently the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are listed (this list also includes some website addresses for which the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change may take on responsibility). Information on numbers of visitors, and on costs for maintaining these sites, is not available without incurring disproportionate cost, as the large majority of these websites are managed by the agency or NDPB concerned and not directly by DEFRA.
As part of the Transformational Government web rationalisation process, DEFRA is currently reviewing all its websites. Over time, content will be rationalised and where appropriate moved to Directgov and Business Link. A number of the current websites will close.
defra.gov.uk
agwasteplastics.org.uk
airquality.co.uk
bseinquiry.gov.uk
bv-aurnsiteinfo.co.uk
bvpi-leq.com
carbonoffsetcode.org.uk
chpqa.com
climatechallenge.gov.uk
darwin.gov.uk
defra.ambassadorsforschools.com
dwi.gov.uk
eca.gov.uk/etl
eca-water.gov.uk
envirowise.gov.uk
everyactioncounts.org.uk
foodfrombritain.co.uk
ghgi.org.uk
gvs.gov.uk
heavymetals.ceh.ac.uk
huntinginquiry.gov.uk
industrialheatmap.com
laqmsupport.org.uk
lupg.org.uk
mceu.gov.uk
mtprog.com
naei.org.uk
nationalfallenstock.co.uk
ni195.com
ni195.net
noisemapping.org
ozone-uv.co.uk
rimnet.gov.uk
sedbuk.com
semen-archive.co.uk
sustainable-development.gov.uk
ukbap.org.uk
ukcip.org.uk
ukcip08.org.uk
ukcites.gov.uk
ukgecc.org
ukglobalinfluence.org
ukmab.org
ukmaburbanforum.co.uk
uknlo.gov.uk
uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk
uksocialdeprivation.aeat.com
ukswedensustainability.org
uwe.ac.uk/aqm/review
wfduk.org
cefas.co.uk
efishbusiness.co.uk
csl.gov.uk
gds.gov.uk
svs.gov.uk
mfa.gov.uk
bcms.gov.uk
cobody.gov.uk
rpa.gov.uk
vla.gov.uk
ami.gov.uk
vmd.gov.uk
corwm.org.uk
iwaac.org.uk
vet-residues-committee.gov.uk
vpc.gov.uk
fawc.org.uk
seac.gov.uk
ccwater.org.uk
ea-transactions.gov.uk
emissionsregistry.gov.uk
environment-agency.gov.uk
intertidalmanagement.co.uk
netregs.gov.uk
nftpg.org
nottinghamflooddefence.co.uk
wastedirectory.org.uk
wastematters.org.uk
wasterecycling.org.uk
chm.org.uk
iucn-uk.org
jncc.gov.uk
nationalbiodiversity.org
searchMESH.net
landshapes.org
nationalforest.org
bobw.co.uk
branchproject.org.uk
contak.org.uk
countryparks.org.uk
countrysideaccess.gov.uk
countrywalks.defra.gov.uk
cqc.org.uk
crosscompliance.org.uk
eastspace.net/biodiversity
ecolots.co.uk
environmentsensitivefarming.co.uk
farmbusinessadvice.co.uk
finest.net.countryside.gov.uk
grazinganimalsproject.org.uk
greatnuthunt.org.uk
landscapecharacter.org.uk
lbp.org.uk
limestone-country.org.uk
limestone-pavements.org.uk
magic.gov.uk
midcornwallmoors.org.uk
nationaltrail.co.uk
naturalengland.org.uk
natureonthemap.org.uk
nebiodiversity.org.uk
newforestlife.org.uk
nwbiodiversity.org.uk
openaccess.gov.uk
outdoorhealthforum.com
plantpress.com/wildlife
ravinewoodlife.org.uk
sebiodiversity.org.uk
stream.org.uk
swbiodiversity.org.uk
wapis.org.uk
wetlandvision.org.uk
whi.net.countryside.gov.uk
whi.org.uk
wmbp.org.uk
woodland.net.countryside.gov.uk
yhbf.org
plantcultures.org
rbgkew.org.uk
gla.gov.uk
ruralcommunities.gov.uk
seafish.org
beefyandlamby.co.uk
bmesonline.org.uk
bpex.org
britishmeatfoodservice.com
eblex.org.uk
hdc.org.uk
hgca.com
lookforthemark.co.uk
mdc.org.uk
mdcdatum.org.uk
meatandhealth.co.uk
meatmatters.com
mlc.org.uk
potato.org.uk
potatoesforcaterers.co.uk
potatoesforschools.org.uk
schoolmilk.co.uk
store.mlc.org.uk
stotfoldpigs.co.uk
carbontrust.co.uk
broads-authority.gov.uk
dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
lake-district.gov.uk
nationalparks.gov.uk
newforestnpa.gov.uk
northumberland-national-park.org.uk
peakdistrict.org
peakdistrict-tourism.gov.uk
yorkshiredales.org.uk
britishwool.org.uk
effp.com
encams.org
est.org.uk
nfsco.co.uk
nnfcc.co.uk
recyclenow.com
wrap.org.uk
britishwaterways.co.uk
cgma.gov.uk
waterscape.com
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1601W—continued
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much surplus land (a) his Department and (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is. [236416]
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much surplus land (a) his Department and (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is. [237189]
Huw Irranca-Davies:
The core Department currently holds 117 ha of surplus land awaiting disposal with an
estimated value of £6,695,000. The majority of the land is available for sale or under offer.
The Environment Agency hold 63,150 sq m of surplus land comprising eight sites with an estimated monetary value of £1,686,000.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has for each of the sites owned by his Department which are registered on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land; what construction projects are planned for each site; and when he expects each site to be returned to use. [236440]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The land recorded on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land has been identified as no longer required in the delivery of Departmental business. Unless there is a demand from another Government Department, in which case the land would be transferred, the primary intention is to seek the earliest possible disposal and maximise the value for money from the sale of surplus assets, subject to prevailing market conditions and planning and development constraints.
Listed as follows is a summary of the surplus land held by the core Department published on the public register as at September 2008 and the status of each site is noted.
Due to the surplus nature of the land, no construction projects are currently proposed and it is not anticipated that the land will return to public sector use. The return to beneficial use, and the nature of that use, will be linked to disposal.
Where it is consider appropriate and the holding is capable of short term beneficial occupation and use pending disposal the Department has sought to mitigate property holding costs by short term commercial lettings.
Where appropriate to do so the Department seeks to influence future beneficial use. There are two sites where the future beneficial use for residential development has been identified and this is being explored prior to disposal via the property market. These sites are recognised in the Departmental contribution to the Government’s affordable homes targets.
The two sites in Perthshire are legacy sites which demonstrated long term beneficial use for residential development, however changes in local planning framework policy and long term housing demand means that the land is now unlikely to be designated to meet future housing need and disposal in existing use is being pursued.
| County | Town | Holding body | Description | Area (ha) | Plans or proposals | Construction projects | Returned to use |
| (1) The properties have been identified as not being required for the delivery of departmental business and are therefore surplus to Government use. Return to beneficial use will be dependent upon the use applied by a new owner. Note: Based on the September 2008 published Register Entry for the Department. | |||||||
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many legal proceedings naming his Department as a defending party have been (a) filed, (b) concluded and (c) dismissed in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) 2008 to date; [239605]
(2) what the monetary value was of each settlement his Department made as a result of legal proceedings naming his Department as a defending party in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2008 to date, broken down by the title of litigation in cases where no such related proceedings are ongoing. [239606]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff are on a priority movers list, people action team or similar designation for staff without posts, in each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies. [233408]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The information requested is as follows:
There are currently 25 permanent staff in core DEFRA who are on the redeployment register (previously known as the priority movers list), 14 of whom will be redeployed shortly. Of the remaining 11 we are working with these people, following CO guidelines, to ensure the best outcome for them and the Department.
There are 17 permanent staff in DEFRA's executive agencies on the DEFRA redeployment register and it is also expected that this number will reduce through redeployment.
DEFRA's NDPBs are separately accountable for redeployment of their staff and therefore this information is not collated centrally. DEFRA does however work closely with NDPBs to help ensure staff can be redeployed and avoid redundancy wherever possible.
Management and support of employees in this position
The Department follows the advice contained in the ‘Protocol For Handling Surplus Staff Situations’ dated April 2008 and ensure we use best endeavours to ensure we avoid compulsory redundancies whenever possible.
Working closely with our trade unions to ensure all opportunities are identified and explored.
Using voluntary exit schemes when appropriate.
Sharing all civil service vacancies through CS Vacs and prioritising the selection of staff in this position where there is a skills match.
Allocating resettlement officers when appropriate.
Providing the services of organisations who specialise in supporting people in this position.
Working closely with HR teams across the DEFRA network and other Government Departments to identify possible future vacancies.
Sharing information at an early stage with the Cabinet Office and seeking their support and advice as required.
Identifying temporary project work when possible while we continue to look for a permanent position.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year. [239073]
Huw Irranca-Davies: This information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of Government-commissioned advertising in the last 12 months relating to matters falling within the remit of his Department. [226522]
Huw Irranca-Davies: All major DEFRA advertising campaigns are commissioned through the Central Office of Information (COI). Each campaign is evaluated against agreed objectives using a combination of pre, post and tracking research. This typically involves measuring website hits, levels of awareness and shifts in attitudes and behaviours. COI is able to use its unique position to negotiate significant discounts when purchasing media, ensuring the best return on departmental investment.
For DEFRA’s main campaign—Act On CO2—the website is performing well with a good return on investment against the current media spend. To date we have had over 270,000 unique visitors (approx 135,000 a month). This compares favourably with other government campaigns with a similar annual media spend which tend to have unique visits of between 100,000 and 120,000 a month.
The Act On CO2 advice line (delivered by EST) also took 181,000 calls in September and October, compared to 60,000 over the same period in 2007.
Awareness of the phrase ‘Act On CO2’ has increased by 8 pecentage points from 29 per cent. in summer 2008 to 37 per cent. in 2008. Just over 40 per cent. claim to be aware of the logo, which is perceived by the majority to be from Government. This represents an increase of 17 percentage points—the highest recognition to date.
In July 2008, results showed that over 60 per cent. of the public had or were planning to take actions to reduce their CO2 emissions as a result of the campaign—an increase of 10 per cent., on findings following the summer 2007 campaign phase.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239072]
Huw Irranca-Davies: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; and what budget each has been set for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [236922]
Huw Irranca-Davies: My Department sponsors 67 executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) which help DEFRA to deliver its strategic priorities. Information about the scope of their interests can be found at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/delivery/landscape/index.htm.
DEFRA funding information for executive NDPBs in 2008-09 follows.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is largely funded by statutory levies that it collects from the agriculture and horticulture industries and from income from its commercial activities. It receives no dedicated grant funding from DEFRA.
Funding for the Agricultural Wages Board and the Agricultural Wages Committee (there are 15 regional committees) is combined. The figure for the current year is £208,000.
Consumer Council for Water—£6,157,649, which includes a contribution from the Welsh Assembly government.
Commission for Rural Communities—£6.4 million.
Environment Agency—£797.5 million.
Food from Britain (FFB) £4 million though additional funding may be made available this year so that FFB can discharge its liabilities to the FFB pension scheme as part of the process of closing down the organisation.
Gangmasters Licensing Authority—£1.5 million.
Joint Nature Conservation Committee Council— £1.9 million.
National Forest Company—£3.6 million.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—£26.4 million.
Sea Fish Industry Authority is largely funded by statutory levies that it collects from the sea fish industries and from income from its commercial activities. It receives no dedicated grant funding from DEFRA. Additional revenue is in the form of grants from UK Government and the EU. Seafish is expected to bid for grants of around £2,500,000 in 2008-09.
Budgets for executive NDPBs for 2009-10 and 2010-11 have not been finalised.
Advisory NDPBs generally incur little or no expenditure and are resourced from within the Department. As a result information on budgets for advisory NDPBs for 2008-11 is not available.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1606W—continued
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239664]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of civil servants in his Department and its agencies are members of the (a) Classic, (b) Classic Plus, (c) Nuvos and (d) Premium civil service pension schemes. [229534]
Huw Irranca-Davies:
The following table provides the figures for each organisation. Data for Core DEFRA, RPA, CEFAS and VLA are from the pension
administrator’s database, data for CSL was taken from their internal HR database. All data is as of the last (October) payroll update.
| Number | Percentage | |
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department uses the Royal Mail as the primary company for sending its post, parcels and packages. [238322]
Huw Irranca-Davies: For the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2008 the postal service providers that carried most of the (a) letters and (b) parcels sent by the core-Department in each of the last three years were Royal Mail and Amtrak respectively.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238976]
Huw Irranca-Davies: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239640]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department has spent on maintaining its domestic properties in each of the last five years. [238735]
Huw Irranca-Davies [holding answer 24 November 2008]: The Department has expended the following amounts on maintaining its residential dwellings in each of the last five years:
| £ | |
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much expenditure from the public purse for which his Department is responsible was incurred in 2007-08 in respect of (a) Balmoral Transport Service, (b) MC Chauffeurs and (c) Stratstone; and what the purpose was of such expenditure. [239611]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239035]
Huw Irranca-Davies: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on external (a) public affairs and (b) public relations consultants in each of the last five years. [233269]
Huw Irranca-Davies
[holding answer 4 November 2008]: In DEFRA, public relations covers a wide range of activity which forms an important element of a broader communications mix. This can include advertising, direct
marketing, live events and publications. The following table shows what public relations activity was procured via DEFRA’s Communications Directorate since FY 2004-05 using the COI Public Relations Framework.
| Financial year | PR agency | Campaign | Expenditure (£) |
|
ACT ON CO2 campaign (including a series of regional roadshows) | |||
We do not collate expenditure under the heading ‘public affairs’.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department has spent on joint research projects of each type with (a) universities and (b) companies in each of the last five years; and what the name of each company was. [237232]
Hilary Benn: The information requested is as follows:
1. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has spent the following total amounts on joint research projects with universities and companies in the last five years:
| £ | |
These figures include amounts spent to date for the 2008-09 financial year
2. The financial year breakdown are as follows:
| £ | |
| 1: Universities | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1610W—continued
| £ | |
| 2: Companies | |
3. DEFRA also carries out joint funding with research councils and higher education funding councils. Much of this will fund work in universities, hence its inclusion, albeit separated from the amount specifically committed in collaboration with universities themselves. During the last five years this has totalled £13,679,932 broken down as:
| £ | |
4. A full list of all the companies (except where this information is confidential), universities and institutes has been placed in the Library showing the cost of each project broken down into Financial Years.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding his Department has allocated for agricultural research in universities in 2008-09. [237233]
Hilary Benn: It is difficult to give a definitive answer as not all of the budgets allocated to agricultural research have yet been committed for the current financial year. As much of our research is let by competition, it is not possible to predict whether universities will be successful in winning the remaining procurement processes.
To date, the Department has committed around £11 million to agricultural research in universities for financial year 2008-09. This total includes spending on both sustainable farming and animal health and welfare.
Further details of DEFRA's research projects, including costs and outputs, are available from the DEFRA website at:
http://randd.defra.gov.uk/
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on agricultural research in each of the last five years. [237234]
Hilary Benn: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has spent the following on agricultural research in each of the last five years:
| £ million | |||
| DEFRA R and D funding into sustainable farming | DEFRA R and D funding into animal health and welfare | Total DEFRA agricultural R and D spending | |
Further details of DEFRA's research projects, including costs and outputs, are available from the DEFRA website at:
http://randd.defra.gov.uk/
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to the public purse of the Environment Agency was in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08. [228621]
Jane Kennedy: The Environment Agency received funding from DEFRA amounting to (a) £554.4 million in 2006-07 and (b) £595.4 million in 2007-08. These figures have been published in the departmental reports for 2007 and 2008, both of which have been published on the DEFRA website:
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/deprep/default.htm.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will publish the (a) date, (b) title and (c) topic of each research report or project commissioned by his Department and its agencies from the consultancy Eunomia. [235137]
Jane Kennedy:
The following table lists the completion date, title and topic of recent research reports and other projects commissioned by DEFRA, the Waste and
Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the Environment Agency from the consultancy Eunomia. The table is restricted to recent work completed under DEFRA’s Sustainable Consumption and Production and Waste agenda.
For work commissioned by WRAP from Eunomia to June 2007, I refer the honourable Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) on 19 June 2007, Official Report, column 1655W.
| Completion date | Project title | Topic |
|
Building on UK marginal abatement cost curves for the waste sector | ||
|
Consultancy (jointly funded between DEFRA and the Environment Agency) |
Assessment of the costs and benefits associated with the Programme | |
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in the development of catchment flood management plans; and if he will make a statement. [235059]
Jane Kennedy: The Environment Agency has completed 55 Catchment Flood Management Plans in England. The remaining 13 plans are due to be completed by the end of December 2008.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress has been made on implementing the recommendations contained in the Pitt report on flooding; and if he will make a statement. [239600]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 24 November 2008, Official Report, columns 489-521, on the Pre-Budget Report, how much of the capital spending amount will be spent on flood defences; when the funding will be available; what type of projects it will be spent on; whether any of the funding in question has already been announced; and if he will make a statement. [239983]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions with local authorities have taken place on the Pitt review on flooding. [237664]
Jane Kennedy
[holding answer 20 November 2008]: The Pitt review proposed significant strengthening of the role of local authorities for flood risk management,
including from surface water and groundwater where no one organisation currently takes the lead. In developing the Government response to those proposals, and other recommendations in the review, DEFRA officials have held regular meetings with the Local Government Association and council officers as well as attending conferences and similar events involving local authorities.
Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken in response to the Pitt review on flooding. [237665]
Jane Kennedy [holding answer 20 November 2008]: We have already taken a number of steps in response to Sir Michael Pitt's findings and will be publishing a detailed response together with a prioritised action plan shortly.
Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his Department intends to publish its detailed response to the Pitt review on flooding. [237666]
Jane Kennedy [holding answer 20 November 2008]: Government's detailed response to the Pitt review will be published shortly.
Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had on building on flood plains. [237663]
Jane Kennedy [holding answer 20 November 2008]: DEFRA has had a strong input in several key areas of the Department for Communities and Local Government's work, including Planning Policy Statement 25 on development and flood risk, and other changes to planning policy. Changes we have introduced include making the Environment Agency statutory consultees for all planning applications in flood risk areas, and that planning applications which the local planning authority are minded to approve against Environment Agency advice can be called-in for determination by the Secretary of State.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research his Department is conducting into the effects of farmers' markets on producers and consumers. [239532]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what proportion of planted ancient woodland sites managed by Forest Enterprise under a clear-fell regime are (a) scheduled for and (b) in the process of restoration, broken down by forest district; [237685]
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1614W—continued
(2) what proportion of planted ancient woodland sites managed by Forest Enterprise are (a) scheduled for and (b) in the process of restoration, broken down by forest district. [237686]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The Forestry Commission’s overall objective is to manage ancient woodland sites across the estate to improve their ecological value and ultimately restore them to native woodland.
The majority of restoration work on Ancient Woodland sites is and will be undertaken by thinning and the gradual removal of non-native species. There has been an increase in ancient woodland sites with more than 80 per cent. native species from 16,209 hectares in 2003 to 17,577 hectares in 2007, and a decrease in ancient woodland sites with less than 20 per cent. native species from 26,011 hectares in 2003 to 24,152 hectares in 2007. Many more areas have had thinning work undertaken and are moving towards a more natural state. To supply the information on this restoration work carried out by Forest District would be at disproportionate cost.
At 31 March 2008 the Forestry Commission classified 1,476 hectares of ancient woodland sites as clear felled ready for or in the process of regeneration and 413 hectares as having been restocked or naturally regenerated with broadleaves in the last three years. The areas of this restocking and natural regeneration by Forest District are given in the following table:
| Forest District | Area (hectares) |
| (1) The Forest of Dean is classified as ancient woodland special history and past patterns of clearance, Natural England has agreed with the Forestry Commission that special arrangements will apply. | |
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what proportion of planted ancient woodland sites managed by Forest Enterprise have been replanted with conifers since 2005, broken down by forest district; [237687]
(2) what proportion of planted ancient woodland sites managed by Forest Enterprise are scheduled for replanting with conifers in current management plans, broken down by forest district. [237709]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The total area of ancient woodland sites managed by the Forestry Commission is in excess of 50,000 hectares. As of 1 April 2008 31,942 hectares of this was recorded as Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS). Since 2005 137 hectares of PAWS sites have been replanted with conifers. This represents 0.4 per cent. of the total area. The area replanted with conifers in each Forest District is given in the following table.
| Forest District | Area (hectares) |
| (1) The Forest of Dean is classified as ancient woodland but, because of its special history and past patterns of clearance, Natural England has agreed with the Forestry Commission that special arrangements will apply. | |
Forest Design plans, which include plans for felling and regeneration, are reviewed and revised on a 10-year rolling programme. The areas of planted ancient woodland sites in these plans that are shown as conifer regeneration could be provided only at disproportionate cost. As some of these plans pre-date “Keepers of Time: A Statement of Policy for England’s Ancient and Native Woodland”, many of the proposed activities in these plans will not be implemented. The Forestry Commission’s overall objective is to manage ancient woodland sites across the estate to improve their ecological value and ultimately restore them to native woodland.
Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to ensure that the destination of individual greyhounds no longer used by the racing industry is (a) reported to the relevant local authority and (b) published. [237778]
Jane Kennedy [holding answer 20 November 2008]: No. This proposal would create a significant additional bureaucratic burden for local authorities. Any animal welfare benefits that might arise would be outweighed by the administrative costs.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of trends in the populations of pollinating insects in the last five years. [239808]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much expenditure from the public purse was paid to legal professionals outside his Department for the purpose of acting on its behalf in legal proceedings in which his Department was named as a defending party in (a) each of the last five years and (b) 2008 to date. [239731]
Huw Irranca-Davies: The expenditure paid to legal professionals outside the Department for the purpose of acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in which his Department was named as a defending party in 2008 to date is £365,741.59. The resources needed to answer the question in relation to each of the last five years would be disproportionate.
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proposals his Department plans to put forward at the next European Fisheries Council on measures to protect sharks and other endangered or threatened species from the impact of over-fishing. [238645]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what real terms reductions there were in the headings of the budget for Natural England in 2008-09 compared with 2006-07. [237237]
Huw Irranca-Davies: Natural England's core grant is as follows:
| Natural England Core Grant (£million) | |||
| Current value (£) | Real terms value (£) | Rural Development Programme for England funding (£million) | |
| (1) The comparative figure for 2006-07 of £163.13 million covers the grant funding available to its predecessor bodies for the functions that Natural England inherited. Natural England was established on 1 October 2006. | |||
The core grant figures take account of agreed efficiency savings arising from the creation of Natural England.
Natural England received additional funding from the Rural Development Programme for England of £246.2 million in 2006-07, £316.6 million in 2007-08 and £363 million in 2008-09.
Figures exclude additional income from DEFRA and external sources, non cash items such as depreciation, budget neutral recharges for common services and capital expenditure.
2006-07 is used as the reference year in the above table for calculating real term values of the budgets for years 2006-07 to 2008-09.
GDP Deflators are extracted from Treasury Website.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of central gas government grants went to (a) rural and (b) urban areas in the most recent period for which figures are available. [227918]
Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply.
The Warm Front Scheme in the current scheme year (1 April to 30 September 2008) has assisted 16,796 properties classified as rural. The scheme does not specifically record the number of urban properties assisted. However, during this period the scheme assisted 108,673 households in total; following the working definitions of rural and urban used by the national audit office, this would mean that the scheme has assisted 91,877 properties that may be classed as urban. The proportions, according to these definitions, are:
Rural—15 per cent.
Urban—85 per cent.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1218-20W, on non-departmental public bodies, if he will break down the budget savings over 2008-09 to 2009-10 for (a) Natural England, (b) Carbon Trust, (c) RPA Operations and (d) Animal Health by main spending areas; [239607]
(2) if he will break down the budget savings over 2007-08 to 2008-09 of (a) Nature England, (b) Carbon Trust, (c) Encams, (d) RPA Operations and (e) Marine and Fisheries Agency by main spending areas. [239610]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department plans to take on pesticide spraying following the recent high court ruling by Mr Justice Collins on the matter. [239354]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the populations of (a) bees, (b) moths, (c) butterflies, (d) beetles, (e) upwing flies and (f) other invertebrates in the UK in each of the last five years. [239358]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans his Department has to fund new mixed plastics recycling plants; and if he will make a statement. [238638]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities are not served by a mixed plastics recycling plant. [238639]
Jane Kennedy: The rigid mixed plastics plant recently commissioned by J&A Young in Mansfield has a capacity of circa 80,000 tonnes per annum and as such could process all the rigid mixed plastics packaging waste currently collected by UK authorities.
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2008, Official Report, column 476W, on public relations: Forestry Commission, if he will break down the indicative cost for 2007-08 by category of services provided. [239465]
Huw Irranca-Davies [holding answer 25 November 2008]: The nature of the Forestry Commission's activities means that individual staff deal with several aspects of communications as part of a single project and it is therefore not possible to break down costs into discrete communications activities. An indicative breakdown can be given for the broad areas of activity.
Promotion of the public forest estate, including advertising and marketing of events, promotion of visitor facilities and attractions and literature for walks, cycling facilities etc., amounted to £316,000.
Press, media and internet communications carried out by Forestry Commission staff and external agencies working on the Commission's behalf amounted to £544,000.
Corporate publicity, which includes the promotion of sustainable forestry policy and practice, grants and licences literature, events and trade shows amounted to £120,000.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1619W—continued
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for human health of the expiry in 2010 of the UK derogations on the quarantine arrangements for pet animals entering the United Kingdom from non-EU countries; and if he will make a statement. [236243]
Jane Kennedy: EC Regulation 998/2003 sets out the animal health requirements for movement of pets within the European Union and into the EU from other countries. The regulation makes provision for a pet entering the EU from a third country which does not meet the appropriate animal health requirements to either be placed under official control until it meets those requirements, or returned to its country of origin or, as a last resort, be euthemised where return or isolation in quarantine is not possible. Those conditions will remain in place beyond 2010.
At present, pet animals entering the UK from countries not listed in the EC regulation are licensed in to quarantine for six months and are vaccinated against rabies immediately on their arrival. They are also observed and monitored for any signs of disease or illness whilst in quarantine.
An assessment of the potential risks to public health that could arise as a result of pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK from third countries not listed in EC Regulation 998/2003 has been carried out and is currently being considered across Government in developing our future strategy for the UK Pet Travel Scheme in the event that our derogations from that regulation lapse in 2010.
The shape of the UK's pet movement controls, including quarantine, that may apply in 2010 is under review and is being discussed with the European Commission. These controls need to be based on a good understanding of the disease risks and are being considered on the basis of scientific evidence. We are also in discussions with the other four member states who also have derogations to the pet movement regulation.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the quarantine arrangements will be for pet animals entering the United Kingdom from non-European Union countries when the UK derogations expire in 2010; how these requirements will differ between countries identified as having favourable and unfavourable rabies status; what assessment he has made of the Government's policy in comparison with those applied in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement. [236354]
Jane Kennedy: The pet movement derogations that apply to the UK as well as to Sweden, Ireland, Malta and Finland are due to expire on 30 June 2010. The extension to the derogations was granted as the European Commission is still considering its position regarding the shape of the Community pet movement rules that will be in place in 2010. DEFRA is currently engaged in discussions with the European Commission, the Department of Health and the other four member states with derogations with regard to our respective positions on pet movement controls come 2010.
At present, pet animals entering the UK from third countries which are not listed in an Annex to EC Regulation 998/2003 as amended, i.e. the pet passport regulation, are required to be licensed into quarantine for a period of six months. Furthermore, pet animals from other third countries which do not comply with the animal health requirements laid down in that regulation may not freely enter the UK but will either have to remain outside the UK until such time as they meet the requirements in full or be licensed into quarantine in the UK. The regulation also requires that any pet animal entering the European Community from a third country which does not meet the entry requirements shall either be re-exported, kept under official control until such time as it does comply with those requirements or, in the last resort, be put down.
For the majority of other member states, pet animals from countries not listed in the regulation may enter their territory without the need for quarantine as long as they have met certain pre-entry requirements, including rabies vaccination and a blood test.
In 2006, my Department carried out a review of the UK rabies import control policies and as part of that review commissioned an independent scientific risk assessment on rabies import controls. This risk assessment has been published on the DEFRA website. The overall
conclusion from the review was that our current controls may no longer be proportionate to the risk of rabies entering the UK. No changes have yet been made to our import controls for pets as a result of that review as we are reviewing further evidence to inform our discussions with the European Commission on the shape of the controls that should be in place in 2010.
We are currently reviewing our position, including a review of published scientific evidence, on what the appropriate entry controls for pets, including those from countries with a less than favourable rabies status, would be for the UK.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Government has sought relevant expert opinion on the human and animal health implications of the expiry of the UK derogations relating to pet quarantine arrangements in 2010. [236355]
Jane Kennedy: The shape of the UK's pet movement controls, including quarantine, that may apply in 2010 is under review and is being discussed with the European Commission.
In 2006, as part of a review of the UK's rabies import control policy, including the ability to place pet animals into quarantine if necessary, we obtained expert opinion through separate independent veterinary risk assessments on rabies and other exotic diseases, such as those carried by certain ticks and tapeworms. The risk assessments closely examined our existing controls and those controls that may apply should the current derogations which apply to the UK lapse or change in some other way in 2010. Both risk assessments have also been considered by the independent expert Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens. The risk assessment have been placed on the DEFRA website. During the review of our rabies import controls we also sought views from a range of stakeholders including veterinary organisations and Government Scientific advisers.
An assessment of the potential risks to public health that could arise from the introduction of diseases and disease vectors that are exotic to the UK via pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK has been carried out and is currently being considered across Government in developing our future strategy for the UK pet travel scheme in the event that the derogations lapse from EC Regulation 998/2003 lapse in 2010.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been (a) investigated and (b) upheld in the last 12 months. [236894]
Huw Irranca-Davies: During the last 12 months (for the period July 2006 to July 2007) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has received less than five official complaints of racial abuse and therefore the information is withheld the grounds of confidentiality.
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice he has given to local authorities on (a) the collection of waste material for recycling and (b) the storage of such material; and if he will make a statement. [235821]
Jane Kennedy: In general the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) established the Recycling and Organics Technical Advisory Team (ROTATE) with the specific task of providing local authorities with advice and guidance on all the waste collection methodologies currently available. This advisory team has produced a wide range of guidance for local authorities including some covering the collection and storage of different recyclates. These can be accessed through WRAP’s website at
http://www.wrap.org.uk.
More specifically in response to the impact of the recent economic downturn on markets for recyclates, DEFRA and the Environment Agency released a joint statement last week. This document has been published on the Environment Agency’s website and can be accessed at
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/recyclables_position_2157872.pdf.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many requests have been made to the Environment Agency for temporary increases in storage capacity for recyclable waste in each of the last 12 months. [239732]
Jane Kennedy: The Environment Agency do not hold a central record of temporary increases in storage capacity of recyclable waste. The Environment Agency has, however, seen no increase in requests in the last 12 months for permit modifications or registration of exemptions that may relate to storage of recyclables.
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Environment Agency, (b) Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee and (c) Local Government Association on the state of the recycling sector; [240015]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect of current market conditions in the recycling industry on waste (a) treatment rates and (b) storage capacity. [240016]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Justine Greening:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in his Department left under (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be
spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) his Department and its predecessor (Z) each of his Department's agencies. [237352]
Huw Irranca-Davies: In 2007-08 627 staff left core DEFRA under a voluntary exit scheme at a cost of £51 million.
There is no voluntary exit scheme planned for 2008-09 or 2009-10.
Additional information has not yet been collated by the Department in the form requested.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of his Department's staff who left under (a) an involuntary and (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if he will make a statement. [239162]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) water safety and (b) other environmental regulations are in place that prevent public access to grassed areas above covered reservoirs; and if he will take steps to encourage water companies to allow such access, with particular reference to urban areas with limited access to green space. [238848]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reports his Department and its predecessor commissioned on the rivers in (a) the South East and (b) Hertfordshire in the last 10 years. [231136]
Jane Kennedy: The Environment Agency is the statutory body with a duty to manage water resources in England and Wales. The Environment Agency regulates water abstraction from sources including rivers, lakes, canals and underground sources through a system of abstraction licensing, to minimise damage to the environment.
The Environment Agency has commissioned a number of reports in relation to water abstraction on rivers in the Thames Region, North East Area covering Hertfordshire, and Southern Region in the last 10 years.
A table containing a list of general reports has been placed in the House Libraries.
Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS) are six-year plans detailing how the Environment Agency is planning to manage water resources in a given area. They can be found on the Environment Agency’s website.
Strategies exist for the following river systems, by Environment Agency operational Area:
Stour
North Kent
Medway
Rother
Darent
Cuckmere and Pevensey Levels
East Hampshire
Arun and Western Streams
Isle of Wight
Adur and Ouse
Test and Itchen
New Forest
Thames Corridor
Upper Lee
Roding, Beam and Ingrebourne
London
Colne
Loddon
Wey
Mole
Kennet and Vale of White Horse
Cherwell, Thames and Wye
Thames and South Chilterns
Cotswolds
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in processing grant applications made to the Rural Payments Agency by Mr. Norman Coles of N Maidstone, Kent; and if he will make a statement. [239234]
Jane Kennedy [holding answer 25 November 2008]: Mr. Norman Coles of Vine Cottage, Lower Street, Broomfield, N Maidstone, Kent received a payment under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) for the 2006 scheme year. This was the first year in which he had claimed under the scheme.
The Rural Payments Agency did not receive an SPS application from Mr. Coles for the 2007 scheme year and he did not therefore receive an SPS payment for that year. Mr. Coles appealed against the decision under the SPS Appeal Procedure, and the appeal is currently being considered.
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration he has given to the future chairmanship of the Sustainable Development Commission; and whether Sir Jonathon Porritt has indicated a wish to continue as chair beyond the end of his present term of office in July 2009. [239007]
Huw Irranca-Davies: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1625W—continued
Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the (a) remuneration and (b) pension entitlement provided for each board member of the Waste and Resources Action Programme is; [239930]
(2) what expenditure the Waste and Resources Action Programme has incurred on overseas travel in the last 24 months; [239931]
(3) how many of the Waste and Resources Action Programme’s staff work on issues relating to alternate weekly collections; [239940]
(4) what guidance the Waste and Resources Action Programme has provided to local authorities on alternate weekly collections since its establishment; [239941]
(5) what research (a) his Department and (b) the Waste and Resources Action Programme has commissioned in relation to household waste prevention in the last 12 months; [239942]
(6) if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the speeches and presentations made by the representatives of the Waste and Resources Action Programme at the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee’s conference held in November 2008; [239943]
(7) pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2008, Official Report, column 401W, on the Waste and Resources Action Programme, whether the liaison activity funded by the Waste and Resources Action Programme included liaison with (a) official representatives of, (b) hon. Members and (c) noble Lords from the (i) Conservative, (ii) Labour and (iii) Liberal Democrat political parties; [239997]
(8) pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2008, Official Report, column 1006W, on domestic wastes, what advice the Waste and Resources Action Programme has given to local authorities on any proposed charges for the collection of household waste; [239999]
(9) what funding his Department has provided for the Waste and Resources Action Programme in each year since its establishment; and what funding has been allocated for each of the next three years. [240012]
Jane Kennedy: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 29 September 2008, Official Report, columns 2424-25W, on waste disposal: fees and charges, what the penalties are for placing domestic waste in a public, municipal bin. [232583]
Jane Kennedy: No such specific penalties exist, however, some such actions may constitute littering or fly-tipping which may in certain circumstances constitute an offence with penalties outlined in the Environmental protection Act 1990.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) which local authorities have formally expressed an interest in participating in pilots for charges for the collection of household waste; [235074]
(2) how many local authorities have expressed interest in participating in a pilot waste incentive scheme; [235144]
(3) how many expressions of interest have so far been received from local authorities wishing to participate in pilots for waste incentive schemes. [235840]
Jane Kennedy: My hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock) wrote to local authorities on 20 June inviting them to come forward, with a deadline for submitting final proposals to run pilots of eight weeks after Royal Assent to the Climate Change Bill. The Government will announce the outcome in due course.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made towards the completion of private finance initiative contracts with local authorities as part of the waste management strategy in compliance with the EU Landfill Directive. [237648]
Jane Kennedy: DEFRA’s Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme provides support to local authorities with their waste PFI contracts, both in the application and the procurement phase. Generic guidance to help all waste infrastructure projects has also been produced.
Progress of the waste PFI projects to 24 November 2008 are as follows:
| Project status | Number of projects | PFI credit amount (£ million) |
| (1) To be confirmed. | ||
Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons his Department has delayed publication of water companies' formal responses to consultation on the new draft Water Resource Management Plans. [239735]
Jane Kennedy:
All water companies consulted on their draft water resources management plans earlier this year. All consultations had closed by 10 October
and water companies are now considering the representations received and preparing their statements of response.
On 24 October we issued a Direction granting all water companies an additional 13 weeks to prepare their statements of response. This was to allow more time for the companies to consider the representations and the changes that should be made to their draft water resources management plans.
Companies must publish their statements of response in accordance with regulation 4 of the Water Resources Management Plan Regulations 2007 (SI 2007 No.727) and all will have published their response by 6 February 2009.
Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department’s practice is on supplying non-alcoholic wine as a choice at official receptions or functions. [229129]
Huw Irranca-Davies: Government Hospitality (GH), in Protocol Directorate, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, manages official ministerial hospitality for all Government Departments. GH does not serve branded ‘low alcohol’ or ‘alcohol-free’ wine at any of its events, and has no plans to do so, though a reasonable choice of non-alcoholic drinks may be provided.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many meetings there have been between officials from her Department and the Scottish Executive to discuss preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. [236869]
Tessa Jowell [holding answer 18 November 2008]: Discussions relating to both London 2012 Olympic games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games arise in a wide range of meetings.
The Government Olympic Executive (GOE), which is part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), was set up in 2006 as the lead Government organisation to oversee delivery of the London 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games.
GOE and the Scottish Executive officials meet every quarter through the Nations and Regions Group to discuss preparations for 2012 and securing the legacy from the games. These meetings have taken place over a number of years since the bid phase.
Up to March 2008, GOE also worked closely with all central Government Departments and the devolved Administrations through meetings of an Inter- Departmental Steering Group made up of senior responsible officials. The group was supported by departmental Olympic co-ordinators, including from the devolved Administrations.
We have also recently established a Government Operations Group, which includes representation from the Scottish Executive, to discuss matters of mutual interest across Government Departments in respect of staging the games.
Officials are working closely together to share any lessons learned from London 2012 with the Glasgow 2014 team. Most recently, the GOE organised a day of meetings on 21 July for the Scottish Executive to speak with officials from across build, staging and legacy teams in GOE to talk about the delivery process and planning for a games legacy.
Additionally, on specific issues, officials from GOE and the Scottish Executive are discussing the development of regulations under the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 to restrict advertising and street trading during games time.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 490, on Commonwealth Games, how many invitations to meetings to discuss preparations for the 2012 Olympics and the 2014 Commonwealth Games have been declined by the Scottish Executive. [236870]
Tessa Jowell [holding answer 18 November 2008]: Following correspondence from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to Scottish Ministers, Glasgow city council and the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, the Deputy First Minister declined the offer of regular quadripartite meetings to discuss Glasgow’s preparations for 2014.
An ad hoc meeting is planned between Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport in the Scottish Government, and DCMS Ministers to discuss games issues on a date to be agreed.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics if she will publish copies of all correspondence her Department has had with the Scottish Executive on preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. [236871]
Tessa Jowell [holding answer 18 November 2008]: There has been numerous correspondence between UK Government Departments, and in particular the Government Olympic Executive, and the Scottish Executive about the London 2012 games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games. To source and publish or place in the Library copies of all correspondence would incur a disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in her Office in each year since its inception; what the target rates set for her Office are; and if she will make a statement. [239130]
Tessa Jowell: The Minister for the Olympics is part of the Cabinet Office.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office on 26 November 2008.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many civil servants have been employed by each non-departmental public body for which she has responsibility in each year since its inception; and if she will make a statement. [239132]
Tessa Jowell: The information is as follows:
Olympic Lottery Distributor (OLD)
The Olympic Lottery Distributor (OLD) does not employ staff on home civil service contracts of employment; and has not seconded any serving civil servants since it was established in 2005.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA)
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) was established as an NDPB by the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006.
The ODA does not employ staff on home civil service contracts of employment. One member of staff was seconded from the civil service in July 2006.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how much her Office has spent on external consultancy in each year since its inception; and if she will make a statement. [239131]
Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 4 November 2008, Official Report, column 286W.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by her Office in each year since its inception; and at what cost in each year. [239083]
Tessa Jowell: Since the inception of my office in June 2007 I have had one special adviser post. Two people have filled the role in that time.
The Prime Minister publishes on annual basis, a list of the numbers and cost of special advisers. Information for 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008, Official Report, columns 99-101WS.
No press officers have been employed by my office since its inception. My press support is provided by the press office of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how much (a) her Office and (b) each of the non-departmental public bodies for which she has responsibility spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since her Office's inception; and if she will make a statement. [239133]
Tessa Jowell: The information is not held in the format requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many press releases have been issued by her Office in each year since its inception; and if she will make a statement. [238986]
Tessa Jowell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many contracts have been awarded by the Olympic Delivery Authority to date; and how many organisations have been awarded such contracts. [228437]
Tessa Jowell [holding answer 20 October 2008]: As of 5 September 2008, 703 organisations had supplied the Olympic Delivery Authority through 1,306 different contracts.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what the target build cost per square foot for the Olympic village is; and what comparison she has made of the target build cost with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' index of house prices. [239970]
Tessa Jowell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what exclusivity agreements are in force over the Olympic village; and for how long each is to be in force. [239972]
Tessa Jowell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what effect the reduction in the number of proposed (a) apartments and (b) bed spaces has had on the construction costs of the Olympic village. [239973]
Tessa Jowell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1630W—continued
Sir Robert Smith: To ask the Minister for the Olympics pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Woking of 10 November 2008, Official Report, columns 781-82W, whether KPMG have been asked to examine the respective value for money of holding the 2012 Olympic shooting events at (a) Woolwich and (b) Bisley. [239470]
Tessa Jowell:
In testing and challenging the plans for a number of temporary venues, KPMG was instructed to evaluate whether Woolwich represents best value for money compared with alternative options. This work on the shooting venue is ongoing and final decisions are yet to be made by the Olympic Board. However, subject
to ensuring that it does not contain commercially sensitive material, the KPMG report will be published as announced on 19 November by the Olympic Board.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many meetings there have been between officials of her Office and the Scottish Executive to discuss co-operation over the preparations for the 2012 Olympics. [236766]
Tessa Jowell [holding answer 17 November 2008]: Discussions relating to both London 2012 Olympic games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games arise in a wide range of meetings.
The Government Olympic Executive (GOE), which is part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), was set up in 2006 as the lead Government organisation to oversee delivery of the London 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games.
GOE and the Scottish Executive officials meet every quarter through the Nations and Regions Group to discuss preparations for 2012 and securing the legacy from the games. These meetings have taken place over a number of years since the bid phase.
Up to March 2008, GOE also worked closely with all central Government Departments and the devolved Administrations through meetings of an Inter- Departmental Steering Group made up of senior responsible officials. The group was supported by Departmental Olympic Co-ordinators, including from the devolved Administrations.
We have also recently established a Government Operations Group, which includes representation from the Scottish Executive, to discuss matters of mutual interest across Government Departments in respect of staging the games.
Officials are working closely together to share any lessons learned from London 2012 with the Glasgow 2014 team. Most recently, the GOE organised a day of meetings on 21 July for the Scottish Executive to speak with officials from across build, staging and legacy teams in GOE to talk about the delivery process and planning for a games legacy.
Additionally, on specific issues, officials from GOE and the Scottish Executive are discussing the development of regulations under the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 to restrict advertising and street trading during games time.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics if she will place in the Library a copy of correspondence relating to meetings her Office has had with the Scottish Exeuctive on preparations for the 2012 Olympics. [236767]
Tessa Jowell [holding answer 17 November 2008]: There has been numerous correspondence between UK Government Departments, and in particular the Government Olympic Executive, and the Scottish Executive about the London 2012 games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games. To source and publish or place in the Library copies of all correspondence would incur a disproportionate cost.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how much of the £600 million of security budget for the London 2012 Olympics has been provisionally allocated for the headquarters building. [239971]
Tessa Jowell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many buildings are under consideration for the headquarters of the security function for the London 2012 Olympics; and by what criteria the buildings under consideration will be judged. [239975]
Tessa Jowell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what the value is of all contracts awarded by the Olympic Delivery Authority to businesses and organisations in Wales. [232315]
Tessa Jowell [holding answer 3 November 2008]: I am awaiting advice from the Olympic Delivery Authority and will write to the hon. Member once this is received. I will also place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of both Houses.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how much her Office has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since its inception; how much she estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if she will make a statement. [239045]
Tessa Jowell: My Office has not spent anything on focus groups or opinion polls since its inception. I estimate that my office will not spend anything on either category in 2008-09.
Expenditure by the Government Olympic Executive on focus groups and opinion polls will be included in figures provided by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in his answer to your question tabled on 19 November 2008.
Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what estimate the Commission has made of the number of (a) mice, (b) rats and (c) other vermin on the House of Commons estate in each of the last 10 years; and what recent discussions the Commission has had with the House of Lords authorities on this matter. [238553]
Nick Harvey: On the House of Commons estate records of evidence of mice go back to 2001 and are as follows—200 sightings in 2001; 199 in 2002; 69 in 2003; 143 in 2004; 58 in 2005; 163 in 2006; 81 in 2007 and 79 so far in 2008.
Evidence of rats is virtually non existent on the House of Commons estate and has been at this very low level for many years.
Other vermin monitored and controlled include ants, fleas and flies, but with the exception of flies, each has less than 10 reported complaints per annum across the House of Commons estate. Complaints about flies reached levels of 16 in 2001; 14 in 2002; 12 in 2003; 17 in 2004; 23 in 2006; 36 in 2007 and 79 in 2008.
The service provision on the Parliamentary Estate is common to both Houses and the Parliamentary Estates Directorate liaises regularly with officers within the House of Lords, focusing on managers with a particular interest, such as the Lords Refreshment Department.
Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what his most recent assessment is of the extent of carpet infestation by vermin in the House of Commons estate. [238554]
Nick Harvey: An infestation of Common House Moth (Tineola bisselliella) was first reported in early 2008 and has been successfully under treatment for the last nine months. The moths were first detected in the T Block area of the Palace of Westminster and quickly spread to areas throughout the Estate. The number of reported specimen counts has fallen steadily from its peak in May 2008 with moths counts of 2,507 to its current level of 907.
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Public Prosecution Service in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237868]
(2) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Northern Ireland Prison Service in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237869]
(3) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Forensic Science Northern Ireland Service in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237870]
(4) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Youth Justice Agency in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237871]
(5) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Compensation Agency in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237872]
(6) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237873]
(7) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Northern Ireland Policing Board in the next (a) five and ( b) 10 years; [237874]
(8) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Office of the Police Ombudsman in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237875]
(9) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Northern Ireland Police Fund in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237876]
(10) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237877]
(11) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237878]
(12) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Northern Ireland Probation Board in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237879]
(13) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Northern Ireland Law Commission in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237880]
(14) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Independent Assessor for Police Service of Northern Ireland Recruitment Applications in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237881]
(15) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Parades Commission in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237883]
(16) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Police Rehabilitation and Retaining Trust in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237884]
(17) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the independent monitoring boards of (a) Maghaberry, (b) Magilligan and (c) Hydebank Wood prisons in the next (i) five and (ii) 10 years; [237885]
(18) To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Prisoner Ombudsman in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237886]
(19) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Life Sentence Review Commissioners in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237887]
(20) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Commissioner for Hearings under Prison Rule 109B (Loss of Remission Commissioner) in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237888]
(21) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the State Pathologist in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years; [237889]
(22) what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the medical appeal tribunals in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years. [237890]
Mr. Woodward: Under the 2007 comprehensive spending review (CSR07), capital budgets have been allocated up to the 2010-11 financial year. No capital budgets have been allocated beyond then.
The following table shows the current capital budget allocations for the bodies listed until 2010-11:
| £000 | |||
| Body | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
|
Independent Assessor for Police Service of Northern Ireland Recruitment Applications | |||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1636W—continued
The medical appeal tribunals do not come under the jurisdiction of the Northern Ireland Office.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months. [237482]
Mr. Woodward: The following table shows expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies, but excluding Executive NDPBs, on Christmas cards, receptions and decorations in the 2007-08 financial year.
| £ | ||
| Northern Ireland Office | Agencies | |
These figures represent a decrease in expenditure of around £2,500 compared to the 2006-07 financial year.
All expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many social action projects he has visited in the last 12 months. [234229]
Mr. Woodward: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Northern Ireland and I make various visits to organisations involved in areas associated with social and community activity, mainly in the criminal justice sector. However, since devolution the Department of Social Development has assumed responsibility for most organisations involved in social action activities.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238930]
Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office does not record centrally the rate of staff absence. The following table details the rate of sickness absence and the target rates set in the Northern Ireland Office for which figures are available. The figures given are for the core NIO its Agencies and legal offices combined, as this is how sickness absence is recorded and targets set. The Department does not record centrally the rate of absence or the rate of sickness absence in its non-departmental public bodies. The information not recorded centrally could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
| Working days lost per staff year | Target rate set | |
| (1) Target rate not set. | ||
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether food and drink on sale to staff of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds. [237423]
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239099]
Paul Goggins: The following table details the number of administrative grade civil servants within the Northern Ireland Office's agencies and legal offices from 1997 to 2008. The agencies of the NIO are Forensic Science NI, the Compensation Agency, the NI Prison Service and the Youth Justice Agency (from April 2003). The legal offices of the NIO are the Crown Solicitors Office and Public Prosecution Service.
With a couple of exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office “Public Bodies” publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
| Number of administrative grade civil servants | ||||||||||||
| (April) | ||||||||||||
| Agency | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239065]
Mr. Woodward: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) emails, (b) telephone calls, (c) faxes and (d) letters he has received in his capacity as Secretary of State relating to official business since May 2007. [234236]
Mr. Woodward: The information requested is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many employees in his Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238961]
Mr. Woodward: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on employing press and communications officers in (a) his Department, (b) its non-departmental public bodies and (c) its agencies in each of the last three years. [239676]
Mr. Woodward: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much surplus land (a) his Department and (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is. [236418]
Mr. Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office and its agencies have registered three sites as surplus to requirements and work is in hand to dispose of these assets. The area of these sites is an estimated 6.95 acres.
Disclosure of the values of these sites would not be beneficial to the public purse or the commercial interests of the Department.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year. [239079]
Mr. Woodward: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08. [237469]
Mr. Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office does not have any full time equivalent staff responsible for branding activity. However, from time to time staff in various parts of the office are engaged in related activities, including maintaining and ensuring the application of corporate branding. Therefore a percentage of their time will be periodically devoted to brand management activities.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238947]
Mr. Woodward: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1639W—continued
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been in the last 12 months. [238174]
Mr. Woodward: Special advisers are temporary civil servants and as such their travel arrangements are made in accordance with the rules and guidance set out in the Civil Service Management Code or other guidance and handbooks used by the NIO for such purposes. They have no entitlement to an allocated Government car and are required to use the most efficient and economic means of travel in all circumstances. In the past year approximately £1,300 has been paid for the use of Government cars by special advisers.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; and what budget each has been set for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [236929]
Mr. Woodward: Information on the remit for each non-departmental public body sponsored by my Department can be found in the Departmental Report, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
Details of what budgets they have been set for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11 are detailed in the following table.
| £000 | |||
| Budgets for: | |||
| Non-Departmental Public Body | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-2011 |
|
Independent Assessor for Police Service NI Recruitment Vetting | |||
| (1) The Boundary Commission has recently completed its Fifth Periodic Review. The Commission is currently not undertaking significant work and for this reason the Commission offices were closed and its Secretariat was wound-up from 1 October 2008. During this period of inactivity any administrative costs will be met directly by the NIO. (2) Non-profit Institution. (3) Although not strictly an NDPB it is analogous to one as per HM Treasury and Cabinet Office. | |||
These budgets are Resource DEL; they are not fixed and can be adjusted by the Directorate and Department if required.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239659]
Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) operates three bonus schemes.
Directors (senior civil service pay band 2) have delegated authority to award special bonuses in their business areas throughout the reporting year.
Annual performance related bonuses for staff below the senior civil service are part of the NIO's overall pay arrangements. The bonus levels are reviewed by the Departmental Board each year. Individual bonus recommendations are made by line managers and moderated by panels across the Department under the supervision of more senior managers.
Bonuses for SCS staff are calculated on the basis of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Senior Salaries Review Body. Individual bonus recommendations are made by line managers and these are moderated by a number of remuneration committees with the involvement of a non-executive director.
The distribution of awards in 2007-08 is shown in the following tables.
| Special bonus awards | ||
| Grade | Number of staff receiving bonus 2007-08 | Amount 2007-08 (£) |
| End year bonuses to non SCS staff | ||
| Grade | Number of staff receiving bonus 2007-08 | Amount 2007-08 (£) |
| End year bonuses to SCS staff | ||
| Grade | Number of staff receiving bonus | Amount (£) |
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department uses the Royal Mail as the primary company for sending its post, parcels and packages. [238118]
Mr. Woodward: For the distribution of post, parcels and packages my Department predominantly uses an in-house courier service. Any mail that is not delivered by this means generally goes by Royal Mail.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238982]
Mr. Woodward: Records of the number of press releases issued by my Department (core only) are held from 2001-02 onwards. Details by year are shown in the following table.
| Financial year | Number of press releases issued by NIO |
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239653]
Mr. Woodward: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the television licence fee in his official Ministerial residence is paid from public funds. [236657]
Mr. Woodward: Hillsborough Castle is a working Government building with Government offices and is also used as a residence for members of the Royal family, visiting dignitaries to Northern Ireland and also the Secretary of State and Ministers when staying in Northern Ireland. The TV licence is paid by the Northern Ireland Office.
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received on the implications of (a) the agreement between the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein on devolution of policing and justice and (b) the other main political parties in Northern Ireland not being party to this agreement. [239837]
Mr. Woodward: The historic agreement announced by the First and deputy First Ministers on 18 November sets out the process that will lead to the transfer of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The transfer of powers remains subject to agreement within the Assembly and will require cross-community support, as set out in section 4 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. All Northern Ireland parties will therefore be involved in the Assembly's decisions about which powers should be transferred and when.
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent steps have been taken to improve conviction rates in domestic violence cases in Northern Ireland. [233490]
Paul Goggins: The ‘Tackling Violence at Home’ strategy, which we launched in October 2005, sends a clear message from Government that domestic violence is a crime and is not acceptable in any circumstances. In addition to providing better support for victims of domestic violence, one of the overall aims of the strategy is to hold perpetrators and abusers accountable and provide effective interventions for their behaviour. For example, a current media campaign highlights that a perpetrator can be prosecuted even when a victim remains silent.
The Policing Plan sets the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) the target of reducing the incidence of repeat victimisation of domestic abuse. Achievement of this target will rest on protective interventions including an increase in convictions. Recent initiatives include the establishment of Public Protection Units in April 2008 and the publication, in July 2008, of an updated policy for police officers responding to incidents of domestic abuse. We are also working towards implementation of Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) across Northern Ireland.
In order to support the PSNI in this important work, we have given them greater powers of arrest. Changes in legislation mean that police do not need a warrant to arrest someone committing the offence of common assault. PSNI have also been working closely with the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland to improve evidence gathering, and in June 2008 training was delivered aimed at improving investigation and case management.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many days he spent in Northern Ireland on official business in each of the last 12 months; and on how many occasions he stayed overnight. [220774]
Mr. Woodward: The number of days and overnight stays I have spent in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months is shown in the following table.
| Day | Overnight | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1643W—continued
The hon. Gentleman will be aware the offices of the Secretary of State are in Belfast and in London; Northern Ireland Office business is conducted in both places. As a Member of the Cabinet I have duties which require attendance in London for Cabinet, Cabinet Committees, the National Economic Council as well as additional duties at Westminster.
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were convicted of drug dealing offences in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [239269]
Paul Goggins: The following table gives the number convicted of drug dealing offences for the calendar years 1997 to 2006 (the latest years available).
Data are collated on the principal offence rule; so only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
| Number convicted of drug dealing offences 1997-2006( 1) | |
| Number convicted | |
| (1) Drug dealing convictions include offences relating to the importing, exporting, producing and supplying of drugs and the offence of cultivating cannabis. | |
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many and what percentage of admissions to prisons in Northern Ireland resulted from defaulting on fines in each of the last five years; [239265]
(2) how many days were spent in prison by those imprisoned for defaulting on fines in each of the last five years; [239266]
(3) how long on average those imprisoned for defaulting on fines spent in prison in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [239267]
Paul Goggins: The information requested is shown in the following table.
| Total time spent in prison by fine defaulters (Days) | Average time spent (Days) | Number of receptions of fine defaulters | Fine defaulter receptions as a percentage of total prison receptions | |
I am committed to improving the enforcement of fines and reducing the number of fine defaulters sent to prison. A reduction in receptions from 1,951 in 2006 to 1,724 in 2007 is welcome and something that I want to build on.
A reminder scheme to promote prompt payment is being piloted by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Ministry of Justice (Mr. Hanson) and is proving successful. It has already shown a 32 per cent. reduction in the issue of default warrants.
I recently carried out a public consultation on a range of proposals to tackle fine default. The proposals we have made would ensure courts have all the information they need to set appropriate levels of fine; improve how we enforce fines that are set; and expand the range of
options available where people still default on a fine. I am currently considering the responses to the consultation and will announce the outcome shortly.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many legally-held weapons have been stolen from properties in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, broken down by police (a) districts and (b) areas. [238073]
Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many attempted child abductions were reported to the police in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, broken down by police (a) district and (b) area. [238074]
Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of crimes resulted in successful prosecutions in Northern Ireland in the latest period for which figures are available. [234174]
Paul Goggins: At present recorded crime is offence-based (i.e. based on the number of crimes recorded), whereas conviction data are offender-based (i.e. based on the number of offenders). As more than one offender may be prosecuted for a single crime, it is not possible to compare the two datasets.
It is, however possible to determine the number of recorded crimes and the number of people that were convicted at the Crown court and the magistrates courts. In 2007-08 there were 108,468 crimes recorded by PSNI. There were 26,363 convictions in these courts in 2006 (the latest year for which data are available). Court data are collated on the principal offence rule; so only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239041]
Mr. Woodward: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of allegations of rape made to the police in Northern Ireland in each of the last two years were later withdrawn by the individual; how many and what percentage of alleged rape cases referred to the Public Prosecution Service were not prosecuted for lack of evidence; and how many and what percentage of cases brought to prosecution resulted in conviction. [237392]
Paul Goggins: The data are not available in the format requested. In 2006-07, there were 431 cases of rape recorded by the PSNI while in 2007-08, there were 382 cases. Figures for the number of cases withdrawn by the individual are not available for these years but the establishment of the Rape Crime Unit in April 2008 aims to provide meaningful data regarding attrition.
Table 1 documents the number of rape cases and suspects received by PPS, number of suspects who were not prosecuted and the percentage of suspects not prosecuted for the calendar years 2006 and 2007.
Table 2 documents the number of prosecutions and convictions for rape and the percentage conviction rate for the calendar years 2005 and 2006 (the latest available years). Data are collated on the principal offence rule; so only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
It is not possible to reconcile the number of prosecutions and convictions with data for PSNI and PPS. Data relating to the number of rapes recorded by PSNI are case based whereas data relating to prosecutions and convictions are person based. Data for PPS refer to the number of cases received for the offence of rape and the number of suspects for this offence. This information can change, for instance, by reducing the offence to a lesser charge eg the offence of indecent assault. Finally data for PPS take account of the number of cases received during a particular calendar year; these cases would not necessarily be proceeded with through the courts during this calendar year.
The Government are committed to tackling the high rate of attrition in cases involving rape and attempted rape in Northern Ireland. The Regional Strategy on tackling sexual violence and abuse in Northern Ireland, a joint initiative between DHSSPS and NIO, sets out the commitment of Government to establish the extent of attrition at each stage of the criminal justice process and to identify the particular causes of the fall-out of cases.
One of the strategy’s key measures is the establishment of NI’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) which will play a key role in supporting victims in reporting offences and assist in capturing the forensic evidence which may secure more convictions.
| Table 1: Number of cases and suspects, number of cases not prosecuted and non-prosecution rate for the offence of rape 2006 and 2007( 1) | ||||
| Number of cases received by PPS | Number of suspects | Number of suspects not prosecuted | Percentage of suspects not prosecuted | |
| Source: (1) Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland | ||||
| Table 2: Number of prosecutions and convictions for rape and percentage conviction rate2005 and 2006( 1) | |||
| Prosecutions | Convictions | Percentage convicted | |
| Source: (1) Northern Ireland Office Statistics and Research Branch | |||
Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people who are (a) Catholic and (b) Protestant are employed by his Department; and what percentage of the total number of employees these groups represent. [234638]
Mr. Woodward: In compliance with the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998 monitoring regulations, all Northern Ireland Office (NIO) staff working in Northern Ireland, both Home Civil Servants and Northern Ireland Civil Servants, are monitored for community background. The Department also has a small number of staff working in London whose community background is not monitored.
As at 1 October 2008, the NIO Core Department and its Agencies comprises 2,091 staff, of whom 49 are based in London. Of the 2,042 staff in Northern Ireland, 1,278 (62.6 per cent.) are Protestant and 690 (33.8 per cent.) are Roman Catholic, while the community background of 74 (3.6 per cent.) is not determined.
Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints about the new facilities management contractors within the 101 probation approved premises were received in the year ended 31st October 2008; and how many were received in each of the last three years. [239126]
Mr. Hanson: New facilities management contracts for a portfolio of Ministry of Justice National Offender Management Service (NOMS) properties have been in operation since 30 June 2008. This includes services provided to approved premises owned by NOMS as part of the National Probation estate in England and Wales.
The contracts envisage and provide for the logging of complaints for service failures through a central help desk managed by the Home Office on behalf of NOMS. Since 30 June this year 241 formal complaints have been logged. Under the previous arrangements, the former suppliers recorded 836 complaints in 2005-06, 384 in 2006-07 and 397 in 2007-08.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made by (a) air and (b) rail. [239419]
Maria Eagle: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1647W—continued
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many Children Act proceedings he expects to be brought by local authorities in each of the next three years; [238576]
(2) how many Children Act proceedings were brought by local authorities on each of the last five years. [238577]
Bridget Prentice: The main recommendations from the 2006 Review of the Child Care Proceedings were implemented through two key reforms: revised statutory guidance issued to local authorities and the Public Law Outline. It was estimated this could lead to a reduction in the number of care and supervision applications under section 31 of the Children Act 1989 of between 8 per cent. and 13 per cent. per annum, brought about through better early engagement with families through use of initiatives such as Family Group Conferences and early identification of alternatives such as kinship care, as well as better prepared applications to court.
The following table shows the number of applications in Public Law cases in England and Wales from 2003 to 2007.
| Table 1: Family courts matters affecting children: Public law applications made in each tier of court 2003 to 2007( 1) —England and Wales | ||||
| Public law( 2) | ||||
| Family proceedings courts, ( 3,4) | County court( 5) | High court | Total | |
| Notes: 1. Figures relate to the number of children subject to each application. For example, an application relating to two children will be counted twice. 2. Public law cases cover the following applications brought by local authorities or an authorised person (currently only the NSPCC): care order, discharge of care order, substitute supervision order for a care order, supervision order, discharge of supervision order, contact with a child in care, authority to refuse contact with a child in care, education supervision order, child assessment orders, emergency protection order, extension of emergency protection order, discharge of emergency protection order, recovery order, parental responsibility order, section 8 orders (residence, contact, prohibited steps, specific issue) and special guardianship order. 3. Figures for Family Proceedings Courts prior to April 2007 are likely to be an undercount. A new method of data collection was introduced in April 2007 which has improved the coverage and completeness of data. Any comparison with figures prior to April 2007 may be affected by the improved data recording. 4. Special Guardianship Orders figures in the Family Proceedings Courts are only available for those courts which share premises and administrative systems with county courts. The total has therefore been estimated based on the proportion of the total public law and private law applications made in each tier of court. 5. Research undertaken on behalf of Ministry of Justice has identified that some cases that have transferred from the Family Proceedings Court to the County Court have been incorrectly recorded as new applications in the County Court, thus inflating the number of new applications (see Masson et al, 2008). Source: Family Proceedings Courts: HMCS FamilyMan and manual returns. County Court and High Court: HMCS FamilyMan. | ||||
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) which 93 local authorities responded to the consultation on public law family fees expressing concern that the new court fees would be unaffordable; [238578]
(2) which 12 local authorities responded to the consultation on public law family fees expressing concern that children would be put at risk due to the increase in court fees; [238579]
(3) what the expected fee income of HM Courts Service for Children Act proceedings is in each of the next three years. [238580]
Bridget Prentice: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation. I will write to the hon. Member once the information is available and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice where each of the (a) Community Legal Advice Centres and (b) Community Legal Advice Networks is located. [238575]
Mr. Malik: Community Legal Advice (CLA) centres have opened in Gateshead, Leicester, Portsmouth, Derby and Hull. There are no Community Legal Advice networks yet. The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is in discussions with nine other local authorities on the possibility of jointly commissioning a service, either a centre or a network, that would be operational before April 2010. These are:
1. Barking and Dagenham
2. Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend
3. East Riding of Yorkshire
4. Gloucestershire
5. Manchester
6. Stockport
7. Sunderland
8. Wakefield
9. West Sussex
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of community sentences were breached in each of the last five years. [239245]
Maria Eagle: The following table shows the proportions of community sentences that terminated in England and Wales in each of the last five years for positive and negative reasons, including failing to comply with the order and conviction for further offences. Information specifically on the numbers or proportions of 'breaches' which resulted in orders being continued and not terminated is not held centrally. The improvement shown in positive terminations for the community rehabilitation order reflects the fact that this is a pre Criminal Justice Act 2003 sentence and was only given for offences committed before 4 April 2005. Negative terminations tend to occur earlier in the life of an order, leaving a higher proportion of these orders to
terminate successfully over the course of time. This does not apply to the community punishment order, which is still available for juvenile offenders.
The information contained in this table can be found in chapter 5 of Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2007 located online at:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm
| Termination of court orders by reason: England and Wales | |||||
| Number of persons and percentages | |||||
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
|
Community Rehabilitation Order element of Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order | |||||
|
Community Punishment Order element of Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order | |||||
| Note: The figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. | |||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1652W—continued
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to increase levels of compliance with (a) community sentences and (b) other non-custodial sanctions. [239246]
Maria Eagle: It is important that community orders and other sanctions are enforced and that offenders comply with their orders. This remains a key priority for Government. The National Offender Management Service is improving performance on compliance by a range of measures which include:
(a) the provision of a compliance toolkit for all probation areas/trusts that highlights best practice;
(b) the implementation of the Offender Management Model in the community, which is designed to help motivate offenders to engage constructively with their community penalties and to improve targeting so that offenders are referred to the right services;
(c) the revision of National Standards for the management of offenders to ensure more effective action to improve the compliance of offenders with orders and licences;
(d) monitoring of the compliance performance of each probation area/trust, with follow up improvement work as required;
(e) utilising the £40 million additional funding for probation to invest in projects designed to improve the compliance of offenders.
In relation to other non custodial sanctions Her Majesty’s Courts Service (HMCS) is working towards improved performance through the provisions in the recently published Criminal Compliance and Enforcement Services Blueprint which was launched in July 2008. The blueprint sets out HMCS’ strategic objective for enforcement which is for a cheaper, faster and more proportionate system that primarily focuses on first time compliance while continuing to apply the principles of rigorous enforcement to the hard core of defaulters. The blueprint covers fines collection and account management, community penalty breach enforcement, failure to appear warrant execution and confiscation order enforcement.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what representations he has received on the effectiveness of community sentencing orders for shoplifting. [239439]
Maria Eagle: We have received representations from the hon. Member for the Vale of York and have met representatives of retail trade organisations to discuss available disposals for shoplifting.
For those who go to court and are convicted, a community sentence is available only where the offence is serious enough to warrant it. The Sentencing Guidelines Council is developing a definitive guideline on theft from a shop following full public consultation on a draft guideline. Sentencing in any individual case is entirely a matter for the court within the penalties prescribed by Parliament and taking account of any sentencing guidelines. Community sentences, where appropriate, can often be more effective at reducing re-offending than short prison sentences.
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on penalties for (a) physical and (b) online copyright infringement; and if he will make a statement. [239793]
Mr. Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the (a) timetable and (b) budget is for the work underway on the CORE electoral database; and whether the (i) timescale and (ii) budget are in compliance with original estimates and targets. [238807]
Mr. Wills: The CORE project remains within its published budget of £9.7 million capital, with a further £2 million non-capital funds being added during the current spending round to support the appointment of the CORE Keeper. The cost of developing CORE from its launch to date, excluding staff costs, is £3,079,648.
The CORE project was launched in January 2004 with initial delivery of the project being envisaged in 2006-07. Following project initiation a detailed planning exercise was undertaken and this timescale was subsequently revised to reflect issues highlighted by the political parties in relation to the format and completeness of data held at that time on electoral registers. By undertaking work to introduce electoral registration data standards, CORE should provide a more reliable mechanism for donation checking. Following consultation in 2006-07, and to ensure the system developed would be as rigorous as possible, the scope of the project was expanded and associated timescales amended to accommodate the enhanced functionality now required (including some anti-fraud measures). Current time scales indicate that the full system should be operational in 2011.
The data standards were introduced following a direction from my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State (Bridget Prentice) made under section 52 (1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c2) (as amended). The direction requires all Electoral Registration Officers in Great Britain to ensure that any electoral registration data held on electronic systems is formatted in compliance with the standards by 1 December 2009.
Local authorities have been allocated grants in aid to support the implementation, and the total amount made available is £2.4 million.
Another main strand of work is the gathering of user requirements that is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2009. This work has been ongoing throughout 2008 including meetings with relevant organisations, and 13 workshops involving 280 electoral administrators in England, Wales and Scotland.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether a privacy impact assessment will be produced for the CORE electoral database. [238808]
Mr. Wills: Government Departments have committed as part of the Data Handling Review to undertake privacy impact assessments (PIA) on all projects that involve the processing of personal data. Once the CORE system requirements have been defined in 2009, a PIA will be undertaken.
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel for Northern Ireland in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years. [237882]
Maria Eagle: The Northern Ireland Court Service does not anticipate any capital expenditure for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel for Northern Ireland during the CSR 07 period (2008-09; 2009-10; and 2010-11). Funding beyond the CSR period has not yet been agreed.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since its inception; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238927]
Mr. Wills: The Ministry of Justice was created on 9 May 2007 bringing together the former Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) and National Offender Management Service, including the prison and probation services and the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. Figures for the National Offender Management Service and HM Prison Service were the responsibility of the Home Office until the creation of the Ministry of Justice.
| April 2007 to March 2008 | |||
| Agency | Sick days | Average sick days | Government target |
The MOJ does not hold sickness absence information for its non-departmental public bodies centrally and can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
The Ministry is currently undertaking a review of attendance management and is committed to enabling the highest level of attendance at work as possible while ensuring that employees who are unwell are treated with understanding and sensitivity.
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department and its predecessor spent on artwork in each of the last five years. [239458]
Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice was created in May 2007. The total spend on artwork since its creation has been £289,933.45.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether food and drink on sale to staff of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds. [237422]
Maria Eagle: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation. I will write to the hon. Member once the information is available and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department’s agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239096]
Mr. Malik: With a couple of exceptions, Executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in Executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office “Public Bodies” publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239059]
Mr. Wills: The Ministry of Justice was established on 9 May 2007. Its expenditure with external consultants in the financial year 2007-08 was £27 million and is broken down as follows:
| £ million | |
Mrs. Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will place in the Library a copy of each tender document relating to the consultation on a Statement of Values. [239412]
Mr. Wills: We are currently considering the procurement of a programme of public consultation as part of our inclusive discussion on values. It is anticipated that a decision will be made shortly, following which further information regarding the procurement process may be made available.
Mrs. Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department maintains an electronic database of its suppliers. [239411]
Maria Eagle: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mrs. Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many credit cards have been issued to staff in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies in the last five years. [239413]
Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice was created in May 2007 bringing together three separate card schemes; Her Majesty’s Court Service, the Tribunal Service and those agencies-previously under the Home Office.
Since its creation in May 2007 the one scheme has issued and maintained 5,921 cards.
Of this number 1,523 of the cardholders are distinguishable as belonging to the Department’s agencies.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many employees in his Department have taken early retirement since its inception; and at what total cost. [238957]
Mr. Malik: For the purposes of this response we have taken the number of the staff who have retired before their normal pension age, typically aged 60.
Between 9 May 2007 and 31 October 2008 the number of employees who have taken early retirement, on this basis is 525.
The Department does not differentiate between the cost of departure under severance and early retirement. Therefore, providing the total expenditure would incur a disproportionate cost.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department, its predecessor and its agencies have spent on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years. [237442]
Maria Eagle: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation. I will write to the hon. Member once the information is available and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
Dr. Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the reasons are for the delay in replying to a freedom of information request about deaths in prisons made by the Howard League for Penal Reform in May 2008. [238630]
Mr. Hanson: The information the Howard League for Penal Reform Requested has now been provided in full.
My Department remains absolutely committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act as completely and consistently as possible. In this instance, regrettably, the delay was caused by the accumulation of a backlog of requests within the
Department. Resources within the relevant business area have been realigned to eliminate this as soon as possible.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1657W—continued
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much has been spent on furniture and fittings for his Department's new headquarters at 102 Petty France. [239471]
Maria Eagle: The Ministry has spent £2,744,622.78 on furniture and fittings at its new headquarters 102 Petty France.
The London accommodation programme has enabled 2,200 staff to move to the new headquarters building 102 Petty France, from four building across London. Not only is this helping to promote closer working and meet our sustainable development targets but, as we make better use of the headquarters building in future, 102 Petty France will save the Department £10 million a year.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on upgrading its IT in each of the last three financial years. [228424]
Maria Eagle: Since the Ministry of Justice was created in May 2007, details of significant expenditure incurred on upgrading IT are as follows:
The Criminal Justice System Exchange infrastructure—expenditure for 2007-08 was £4.2 million.
The NOMIS Programme to upgrade IT across the National Offender Management Service will provide Her Majesty’s Prison Service and National Probation Service staff with improved access to information to support end-to-end offender management processes. Expenditure for 2007-08 was £63.2 million, which included the main costs of developing and implementing new applications, infrastructure costs and supporting the live services.
In addition, the Ministry of Justice’s other main IT services are provided through contracts with external suppliers. These contracts include provision for regular maintenance and upgrade of the infrastructures and applications to keep systems up to date and to improve business efficiency. The costs of upgrades are included
in the overall contract expenditure and could not be identified separately without incurring disproportionate cost.
Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) memory sticks, (b) laptop computers, (c) desktop computers, (d) hard drives and (e) mobile telephones were (i) lost by and (ii) stolen from his Department in each year since its inception. [234098]
Mr. Straw: The Ministry of Justice was established in May 2007. Reported losses for the period May 2007 to March 2008 are as follows:
| Lost | Stolen | |
Four of the 11 laptops reported lost were subsequently recovered. Another one of those lost went missing in delivery and was never used. Records of mobile telephone losses are not held centrally and the aforementioned numbers reported have been taken from available records.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for which Government websites his Department is responsible; how many visitors each received in the last period for which figures are available; and what the cost of maintaining each site was in that period. [235027]
Mr. Straw: The websites for which the Ministry of Justice is responsible are included in the following table.
Visitor statistics for the www.justice.gov.uk site between May 2007-March 2008 were 2,472,269. Visitor statistics for the other sites are not collected centrally and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.
Central contracts cover the provision for most of the Ministry’s websites and include the cost of maintenance, web hosting and support. The running costs for this period were approximately £2 million. This does not include staff costs as this information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
| Website | Site address |
|
National Archives Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information | |
|
Offices of Court Funds, Official Solicitor and Public Trustee | |
|
Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal for England | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1662W—continued
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost was of maintaining his Department's website in the 2007-08 financial year; and what the forecast cost is of maintaining websites within his responsibility in the 2008-09 financial year. [235299]
Maria Eagle: The maintenance costs for the main website
www.justice.gov.uk
cannot be itemised separately as they are part of a larger contract which includes support web hosting and maintenance for the majority of websites for which the Ministry is responsible. The consolidated running costs for these websites from May 2007 (when the Ministry was created) to March 2008 were approximately £2 million. This does not include staff costs as this information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The forecast cost for 2008-09 is expected to be in line with 2007-08 expenditure.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much surplus land (a) his Department and (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is. [236419]
Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice and its agencies currently have four sites on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Sites which amount to 16.26 hectares and when last valued these sites had an estimated global value of £1,950,000.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since its inception; and at what cost in each year. [239075]
Mr. Wills: The Ministry of Justice was formed on 9 May 2007. The numbers of press officers is 34 at a cost of £1,916,347. The press office operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, dealing with all media relations for the department from the international, national and regional media.
The Ministry of Justice is one of the largest departments in Government. It's right that the public know and understand the work of the MoJ and its agencies and how taxpayers' money is being spent. Communications, including the work of the press office, is an important element of this.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (Mr. Straw) on 24 November 2008, Official Report, column 863W for the number of special advisers employed.
Mrs. Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) by how much he expects the headcount of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies to change in the next 12 months; [239414]
(2) how many people are employed by (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies; [239415]
(3) what the total employee headcount is in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies; what he expects the headcount to be in each case in 12 months time; and what the reasons for the differences in each case are. [239957]
Maria Eagle: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of Government-commissioned advertising in the last 12 months relating to matters falling within the remit of his Department. [226528]
Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice, places most of its recruitment advertising on the Civil Service Recruitment Website as the site of first choice for central Government recruitment.
Where specific vacancy advertising is required the Department will use media most likely to attract people with the necessary skills, giving due regard to cost effectiveness. Digital advertising is now the preferred option for advertising externally and banner press advertisements are used for SCS posts in accordance with Cabinet Office Guidelines.
Marketing campaign advertising evaluation in my Department is standard practice and is subject to strict propriety guidance.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [238944]
Maria Eagle: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation. I will write to the hon. Member once the information is available and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; and what budget each has been set for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [236928]
Maria Eagle: Funding for the Ministry of Justice non-departmental public bodies has been agreed for 2008-09 only. Funding for 2009-10 and 2010-11 has not yet been agreed at this time. I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 6 November 2008, Official Report, columns 745-46W, for funding details for 2008-09.
Remit details for each body can be found in the following table.
| MOJ Executive non-departmental public bodies | |
| NDPB | Remit |
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239667]
Mr. Malik: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [238978]
Mr. Wills: The Ministry of Justice was established on 9 May 2007. In 2007-08, my Department has released 196 press notices of a departmental nature and 145 releases announcing judicial appointments. The press office operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, dealing with all media relations for the Department from the international, national and regional media.
The Ministry of Justice is one of the largest departments in Government. It's right that the public know and understand the work of the MoJ and its agencies and how taxpayers' money is being spent. Communications, including the work of the press office, is an important element of this.
Mr. Philip Hammond:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered
procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract since the inception of his Department. [239648]
Maria Eagle: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since
its inception; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239037]
Mr. Wills: Since May 2007 the Ministry of Justice spent £498,241 on focus groups, and £751,682 on opinion polls. We plan to spend a further £6,500 in 2008-09. The following table provides details of focus groups and opinion polls carried out by the Ministry of Justice since inception in 2007, and any current estimates for such in 2008-09.
| Ministry of Justice focus groups and opinion polls | |||||||||
| £ | |||||||||
| Commissioned research | Planned research | ||||||||
| Name of the opinion poll/focus group | Name of firm carrying out the work | Opinion poll | Focus group | Total cost in 2007-08 (exc VAT) | Total cost in 2007-08 (inc VAT) | Total cost in 2008-09 (exc VAT) | Total cost in 2008-09 (exc VAT) | Total estimated cost in 2008-09 (exc VAT) | Total estimated cost in 2008-09 (inc VAT) |
|
General Public Awareness of the Mental Capacity Act (Capibus survey) | |||||||||
|
Legal Professionals Awareness of the Mental Capacity Act (online survey) | |||||||||
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Awareness of the Mental Capacity Act (paper survey) | |||||||||
|
Testing of language and understanding of Departmental Strategic Objectives | |||||||||
|
Research on development of the Before The Event legal expenses insurance | |||||||||
|
Improving public confidence in the Criminal Justice System; inform, persuade and remind. | |||||||||
|
on consultation paper on Inspection powers and funding arrangements of the Information | |||||||||
|
Public Confidence in the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales: June 2008 | |||||||||
|
Assessing implementation of the pilot of the Stable & Acute dynamic risk assessment tool | |||||||||
|
Community understanding of high risk offenders communities, hostels etc | |||||||||
|
Baseline for evaluation of impact of legal services reform on users and suppliers | |||||||||
|
Increasing efficacy in commission-ing Psychiatric reports—good practice guidance | |||||||||
| (1) Costing information is not supplied as this is commercial in confidence. This survey is subject to periodic re-tendering and release of the costings would weaken the Department's negotiating position. (2) April to November 2007 spend. (3) Commercial in Confidence. Notes: 1. Current projects planned but not commissioned are all commercial in confidence; as disclosing budget may impact or tendering process. 2. Costs refer to total spend within year for complete project which often includes more than just focus groups or opinion polls (or other deliberative research). | |||||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1670W—continued
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice to which completed consultations his Department has yet to respond. [239790]
Maria Eagle: The information on completed consultations that are awaiting a response is shown in the following table.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost was of (a) entertainment, (b) advertising and promotion and (c) public relations consultancy to his Department in 2007-08. [228148]
Maria Eagle: Ministry of Justice has spent the following since it was created on 9 May 2007 to 31 March 2008:
(a) Entertainment:
The information could be provided across the Ministry only at disproportionate cost.
(b) Advertising and promotion £6,459,801.64 (total including HMPS figures for full financial year).
| £ | |
|
Advertising (total including HMPS figures for full financial year) | |
(c) Public relations consultancy—£290,476
All expenditure incurred is in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies spent on (i) recruitment consultants and (ii) external recruitment advertising to recruit staff in each of the last five financial years; which recruitment consultants were employed for those purposes in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [226796]
Maria Eagle: The information is as follows.
Recording of costs for (i) recruitment consultants and (ii) external recruitment advertising to recruit staff are combined in the Department’s financial system and include campaigns run by the Department on behalf of Her Majesty’s Courts Service.
Data for each year is shown in table 1 as follows.
Recording of costs for (i) recruitment consultants and (ii) external recruitment advertising to recruit staff are combined in the agencies financial systems, with the exception of Tribunal Services.
| Table 1: Ministry of Justice | ||||||||||
| 2003-04( 1) | 2004-05 | 2005-06( 2) | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | ||||||
| Core Department | £ | Consultants | £ | Consultants | £ | Consultants | £ | Consultants | £ | Consultants |
| Table 2: Executive agencies | ||||||||||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | ||||||
| Executive agencies | £ | Consultants | £ | Consultants | £ | Consultants | £ | Consultants | £ | Consultants |
|
Barkers Hr Advertising Ltd., TMP Worldwide Ltd., BNB Recruitment Consultancy Ltd. |
Barkers Hr Advertising Ltd., TMP Worldwide Ltd., Strategic Decision Ltd. | |||||||||
| (1) Former Department for Constitutional Affairs and The Court Service (2) Former Department for Constitutional Affairs and Her Majesty’s Courts Service (3) Ministry of Justice core department including National Offender Management Service (HQ elements), Office for Criminal Justice Reform and Her Majesty’s Courts Service (4) Increase in expenditure due mainly to national prison officer recruitment campaign. Comparable figures for earlier years available only at disproportionate cost. | ||||||||||
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department and each of its agencies spent on overseas travel in the last 12 months. [239548]
Maria Eagle: This information could be only provided by gathering information from across the Ministry which would incur disproportionate cost.
The Department's annual accounts show travel, subsistence, and hospitality in one line, and to distinguish the travel element from this figure would be at disproportionate cost.
The Department has published rules for official travel in its staff handbook, and all travel is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the ‘Civil Service Management Code’.
All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the ‘Ministerial Code’ and ‘Travel by Ministers’, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
The Government's annual publication about overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers is accessible at
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ministers.aspx.
The list includes details about the number of officials accompanying the Minister when non-scheduled travel is used for the trip. Copies of lists covering information going back to the 1997-98 financial year are available in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2008, Official Report, columns 331-32W, on Departmental written answers, where the information on (a) questions answered in 2002-03 and 2003-04, (b) the number of questions answered substantially and (c) the number of questions not answered due to disproportionate cost is held. [239933]
Mr. Malik: The information prior to the 2004-05 session is held in paper format and post 2004-05 on an electronic database. Both formats would require a manual collation by checking every questions answer at a disproportionate cost. The database has been adapted and the information will be collated from the new Session.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the timetable is for the publication of the Government’s response to the Joint Committee’s Report on the Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill, HC 551-I. [239709]
Mr. Wills: The Government are grateful for the Joint Committee’s report on the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill. Since its publication, we have given careful consideration to its recommendations and a full response will be published ahead of the Bill’s introduction to Parliament
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people resident in (a) Southampton, (b) Test Valley borough and (c) the ceremonial county of Hampshire were (i) arrested under suspicion and (ii) convicted of driving when drunk in (A) each of the last five years and (B) each month since October 2007. [239841]
Maria Eagle: The information requested on arrests is not collected centrally.
The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers persons arrested for recorded crime (notifiable offences), by main offence group (e.g. violence against the person, sexual offences, robbery, burglary, theft and handling stolen goods, etc.) and police force area within England and Wales. Information on summary motoring offences including those of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs are non-notifiable and as a result are not covered by the collection.
Available information held on convictions at all courts for offences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs for the years 2002 to 2006 (latest available) is provided in the following table. Data for 2007 will be available on 27 November 2008. The data provided covers both drink and drugs offences combined, as volumes of prosecutions and convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot be accurately established separately.
Information is available on a calendar year basis and at police force area level only.
| Findings of guilt at all courts for offences of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs( 1) , within Hampshire police force area, 2002-06 | |
| Number of offences | |
| (1) Data provided covers summary offences of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs (which cannot be reliably distinguished separately). Notes: 1. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. 2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1674W—continued
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his Department’s policy is on whether the Electoral Commission should be the (a) regulator and (b) administrator in relation to electoral services. [239703]
Mr. Wills: The Government believe that the Electoral Commission has an important role to play as the regulator of party finance and expenditure, and of electoral services. The Commission’s regulatory role includes:
Monitoring and regulating party and election finance;
Reporting on elections and referendums, and
Setting performance standards for electoral administrators.
The Government consider that the measures in the Political Parties and Elections Bill to reform the Electoral Commission’s governance and powers in line with the recommendations in the Eleventh report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life will help to make the Commission a more effective regulator of electoral services, and better enable it to deliver its wider regulatory role.
The Government have no plans for the Commission to take overall responsibility for electoral administration. This responsibility will continue to rest with locally appointed returning officers and electoral administrators.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy to ensure that the new powers of entry to be exercised by the Electoral Commission must be authorised by a judge rather than by a local magistrate. [239700]
Mr. Wills: The issue of judicial oversight was raised in debate at Committee stage of the Political Parties and Elections Bill. As I said in that debate, we are actively considering further the appropriate level of judicial oversight for the warrant procedure provided in the Bill.
The powers of entry under a warrant provided by paragraph 3 of Schedule 19A (contained in Schedule 1 to the Political Parties and Elections Bill) will be exercised by a constable, who may be accompanied by other persons named in the warrant and any other constables as required.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the evidential basis is which underlies the proposals to grant the Electoral Commission powers to enter people's homes. [239704]
Mr. Wills: The proposals to reform the commission's powers and governance seek to make the commission a more effective regulator. In its 11th Report, the Committee for Standards in Public Life (CSPL) stated that: "PPERA should be amended to make it clear that the Electoral Commission has a duty to investigate proactively allegations or suspicions of failures to comply with the regulatory framework" (CSPL 11th Report, p31).
In their report on Propriety and Peerages published in December 2007, the Public Administration Select Committee noted that: "There is now a striking consensus behind the need to make the Electoral Commission into a more effective, proactive regulator. We add our voice to that consensus. The Government is currently considering what steps to take next. One of these steps might need to be changes to legislation to give new powers to the Commission." (Public Administration Select Committee, Propriety and Peerages: Second Report of Session 2007-08, paragraph 99, p34).
In order to ensure that the commission can effectively carry out its functions as a regulator, the Government have proposed that the commission should have the ability to apply to a magistrate for a warrant, which will be exercised by a constable, together with other persons named in it, to seek entry to premises in connection with an investigation.
The power to grant a warrant to enter and search premises on an application from the Electoral Commission, which is set out in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Bill, is similar to the power given to grant a warrant on an application from the Financial Services Authority, which is set out in section 176 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
As I said during Committee stage, I am reflecting further on the points made on this issue and will return to them at the next parliamentary stage.
Mrs. Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost was of operating electronic counting at elections for (a) Bedford borough council in 2007, (b) Breckland district council in 2007 and (c) the London Mayor and the London Assembly in 2008. [233950]
Mr. Wills: The Ministry of Justice provided funding of £177,364 to Bedford and £164,805 to Breckland to cover the costs of operating the electronic counting pilots.
The Greater London Authority entered into a contract worth just over £4.5 million for the provision of electronic counting services, supply of the three types of ballot papers and support services for the 2008 London Mayor and London Assembly elections. There will have been some savings from not conducting a manual count.
Mrs. Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much has been paid to Indra in respect of work on the operation of e-counting pilots. [233951]
Mr. Wills: Indra were selected as one of seven suppliers on the Government's Electoral Modernisation Programme framework of suppliers and have participated in three e-counting pilots. Selection for these pilots was done by the local authorities via a tender among the suppliers on the framework.
In 2003 in Epping Forest they were paid £50,000 to deliver e-counting services as part of a wider electoral modernisation pilot. In 2007 the Government supported e-counting pilots in Bedford and Breckland where Indra were paid £165,792 and £148,831 respectively. There will have been some savings from not conducting a manual count.
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he has taken to ensure that employment tribunals are fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure that employment tribunals fully implement their disability equality schemes. [239182]
Bridget Prentice: The Employment Tribunal, as part of the Tribunals Service, carries out Disability Discrimination Act audits on all of its sites. Those identified as needing improvement to the facilities have these carried out on a priority basis.
The Tribunals Service is covered by the Ministry of Justice Disability Equality Scheme and reports to the Department on its equality scheme action plans. The
Employment Tribunal has equality and diversity representatives, who ensure that the Tribunal is compliant with the scheme.
Mr. Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much he expects to collect from the victims surcharge in each of the next five years. [238860]
Maria Eagle: The Victims Surcharge is a £15 charge imposed on fines given in the magistrates and Crown courts in England and Wales on all offences committed on or after 1 April 2007.
Forecasts have not been made for the next five years as the scheme is still in a relatively early stage of its operative life. Initial estimates were that in due course it would generate £16 million in a fully operational year. Firm forecasts will be made after two years of operation. All commitments given on surcharge revenue will be honoured by the MoJ.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reason magistrates are not able to access information on fixed penalty notices issued to those before them who have pleaded guilty. [237780]
Mr. Straw: The Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) was established under sections 1-11 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. Under section 2 (4), a penalty notice is defined as a notice offering the opportunity, by paying the penalty, to discharge any liability to be convicted of the offence to which the notice relates.
Unlike cautions, where there is an admission of guilt during a recorded PACE-compliant interview, PNDs do not involve such an admission and are issued solely on the belief of a police officer that an offence has been committed. PNDs for recordable offences must be recorded on the Police National Computer, not least to ensure that they are not issued to those who repeatedly offend. I am however considering how to improve the reliability of recording of PNDs on the Police National Computer and whether they should be different arrangements by which their issue could be taken into account by a court.
Mr. Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which religions HM Prison Service recognises. [238859]
Mr. Malik: The Prison Service facilitates the practice of a wide range of religions and denominations. Longstanding Prison Service policy has been not to recognise Scientology, Nation of Islam, or Rastafarianism for the purposes of facilitating religious ministry in prison. All prisoners have the opportunity to register their religious affiliation and to practise within the constraints of good order and discipline.
Chris Huhne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the number of judgments made by the European Court of Human Rights which
required amendments to UK legislation in the last 10 years; what the date was of each such judgment; and in how many cases such amendments have not been made. [238189]
Mr. Straw: In the 10 years between 1 November 1998 (when the European Court of Human Rights in its current form came into existence) and 1 November 2008, the Court’s statistics record that of the 289 cases involving the United Kingdom in which a full judgment was delivered, 185 resulted in a finding of at least one violation of the convention. All judgments of the European Court of Human Rights may be accessed in full through the Court’s website at:
http://www.echr.coe.int/
Not all of these judgments required amendment of primary and/or secondary legislation; in many cases, either no general measures are required by the judgment, or the general measures may be effected by changes in policy or administrative practice. We do not collate information centrally as to the nature of the remedial measures required by these judgments, so it would be possible only at disproportionate cost to determine how many of these cases did require amendments to primary and/or secondary legislation.
There are at present 42 judgments in respect of which remedial measures remain the subject of scrutiny by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe; of these, about half are part of a single group of cases settled by the Government on the basis of a leading judgment by the Court. Of the remainder, the number that may require further amendment to legislation will depend on the final form of the general measures taken.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of the convictions for human trafficking offences in each of the last five years led to (a) a custodial sentence of more than one year, (b) a custodial sentence of less than one year, (c) a community sentence and (d) a fine. [232956]
Jacqui Smith: I have been asked to reply.
Of the 90 convictions for human trafficking to date 80 have attracted a sentence of more than one year, four have attracted a sentence of one year or less and five are awaiting sentence. In one case the conviction resulted in a suspended sentence.
Information from the UKHTC indicate there have been no cases which resulted in a community sentence or a fine.
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions for intellectual property crime under (a) the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 and (b) the Trademarks Act 1994 there were in (i) 2006 and (ii) 2007; how many of these convictions resulted in (A) a custodial sentence and (B) a fine; what (1) total and (2) average amount paid in such fines was; and what the average custodial sentence in each year was. [239792]
Mr. Hanson: The available information for 2006 is contained in the following table. Information on fines paid is not available.
The attention of the House is drawn to the Sentencing Statistics 2007, which will be published on 27 November and copies of which will be placed in the House of Commons Library.
Data for 2007 will become available once “Sentencing Statistics, England and Wales, 2007” has been published on 27 November.
| Number of offenders( 1) sentenced for intellectual property offences under Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 and Trademarks Act 1994 by selected disposals, all courts, England and Wales, 2006 | ||
| Principal statutes | ||
| Number of offenders, average fine amount and average length of sentence (months) | Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 | Trade Marks Act 1994 |
| (1) Includes companies, public bodies etc. (2) Months. excludes life and indeterminate sentences. Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. Source: OMS Analytical Services | ||
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment his Department has made of the merits of training in intellectual property law for judges and magistrates and their advisers; and what guidance has been issued to the Judicial Studies Board pursuant to recommendation 44 of the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property. [239791]
Mr. Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Judicial Appointments Commission in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years. [237893]
Maria Eagle: The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission has no plans for any significant capital expenditure for the CSR period (2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11). Funding beyond the CSR period has not yet been agreed.
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Judicial Appointments Ombudsman in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years. [237894]
Maria Eagle: The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman has no plans for any significant capital expenditure for the CSR period (2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11). Funding beyond the CSR period has not yet been agreed.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1680W—continued
Dr. Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the sickness rates were for (a) prison officers and (b) governor grades at Low Newton prison in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the average rates in each case were across all prisons. [238631]
Mr. Malik: The sick rates for the first six months of 2008-09, stated in annualised terms, for HM Prison Low Newton and across all Prison Service establishments is shown in the following table. Low Newton currently has an unusually high number of long-term sickness cases that are being managed.
| Annualised sick rate (working days lost per person per year)— April to September 2008 | ||
| Officers | Operational managers | |
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Northern Ireland Court Service in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years. [237891]
Maria Eagle: The Northern Ireland Court Service capital settlement for the CSR 07 period (2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11) is £7 million, £7.4 million, and £7.4 million.
The allocation provides for expenditure on the Court estate, ICT systems and business modernisation initiatives. Funding beyond the CSR period has not yet been agreed.
Mr. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the anticipated capital expenditure is of the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years. [237892]
Maria Eagle: The Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission expects to spend £1.5 million in capital as part of its short term IT strategy within the current CSR07 period. Funding beyond the CSR period has not yet been agreed.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what the cost of administering offending behaviour programmes was (a) in prison and (b) on probation in each of the last five years, broken down by type of programme; [239816]
(2) what his estimate is of the number of people who (a) started and (b) completed offending behaviour programmes (i) in prison and (ii) on probation in each of the last five years; and what the rate of re-offending was for each, broken down by type of programme; [239817]
(3) how many committal hearings were held in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the cost of committal hearings in each of those years; [239825]
(4) what the average cost was of keeping a person in residential drug rehabilitation for (a) a week and (b) a year in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [239826]
(5) what the (a) breach rate of community sentences and (b) imprisonment rate for those who breached community sentences was in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [239827]
(6) what the average (a) daily, (b) weekly, (c) monthly and (d) annual cost of supervising an offender on a community sentence was in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [239828]
(7) what the average cost was of keeping a prisoner for a day in each (a) prison establishment and (b) young offender institution in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [239829]
(8) what the average cost was of keeping a person in prison for a (a) week and (b) year in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [239830]
(9) how many prisoners on average were serving sentences of (a) less than three months, (b) between three and six months and (c) between six and 12 months in each of the last five years. [239831]
Mr. Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will introduce legislation to prevent criminals profiting from their memoirs or other publications about their crimes. [239815]
Maria Eagle: We are committed to bringing forward measures to prevent convicted criminals profiting from publications about their crimes. A range of options were set out in a consultation paper (“Making Sure That Crime Doesn’t Pay”) published in November 2006. We will be publishing our response to the consultation shortly and intend to legislate when parliamentary time allows.
Damian Green:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many foreign national prisoners recommended for deportation or removal from the United Kingdom by a judge at sentencing were (a) deported or removed from the UK, (b) allowed to
remain in the UK and (c) awaiting a Home Office decision on removal or deportation in each of the last 24 months for which figures are available. [231572]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 3 November 2008] : I have been asked to reply.
The Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency has regularly updated the Home Affairs Select Committee with the most robust and accurate information available and will continue to do so as required. She recently advised the Committee during her appearance of 20 November that the Agency has deported or removed over 4,500 foreign prisoners so far this year and that it is on track to not only meet but exceed the target of 5,000 for 2008.
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many times Operation Safeguard places were used in the last 12 months; [238455]
(2) what the average nightly cost to his Department of reserving a police cell under Operation Safeguard was in the last 12 months. [238456]
Jonathan Shaw: Between 20 November 2007 and 22 September 2008, Operation Safeguard was used on 22,748 prisoner nights.
The estimated average cost of a place in a police cell under Operation Safeguard is £385 a night.
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Wantage of 22 May 2008, Official Report, column 413W, on personal injury: compensation, when he plans to publish his Department’s response; and if he will make a statement. [239786]
Mr. Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what locations and accompanying local authority areas are classified as prohibited places for photography further to an Order of the Secretary of State under the Official Secrets Act 1911 as amended. [238689]
Maria Eagle: The locations which are designated as “prohibited places” are contained in two statutory instruments—the Official Secrets (Prohibited Places) Order 1955 and the Official Secrets (Prohibited Places) Order 1994. The site designated by the 1955 Order is the works and offices of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at Dounreay in the County of Caithness. The sites designated by the 1994 Order are: the British Nuclear Fuels site at Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria; the British Nuclear Fuels site and Urenco (Capenhurst) Limited sites at Capenhurst, near Chester, Cheshire; the UK Atomic Energy Authority site at Harwell, Didcot, Oxfordshire; and the UK Atomic Energy Authority site at Windscale, Seascale, Cumbria.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008, Official Report, column 751W, on political parties: finance, whether expenditure incurred by an hon. Member outside a general election period funded by party funds which disparages an individual who is (a) an untriggered prospective parliamentary candidate and (b) a triggered parliamentary candidate for the same constituency would trigger the election expenses of the hon. Member for the purposes of the new rules; [239571]
(2) with reference to the memorandum submitted by the Electoral Commission to the Public Bill Committee on the Political Parties and Elections Bill of 2007-08, in relation to the proposed new trigger rules, whether spending by an individual in relation to a campaign on local issues, but not in relation to their candidacy in a future election, would count as a trigger; [239572]
(3) in what circumstances hon. Members will trigger their own candidate spending limits prior to the calling of a general election under the proposed new trigger rules; [239573]
(4) with reference to the impact assessment produced for the new trigger rules for election spending, what estimate has been made of the (a) change in the number of candidates in general elections and the likely number of (b)(i) pre-trigger prospective candidates and (ii) triggered candidates that would be regulated by the new rules; [239701]
(5) whether it is his policy that spending by hon. Members on promoting themselves using funds other than the public purse, outside a general election period, should be considered to be promoting or initiating their candidature for the purposes of the new trigger rules on election spending; [239702]
(6) pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008, Official Report, column 751W, on political parties: finance, whether money spent before a person becomes a triggered candidate will count against the aggregate candidate spending limit if the goods or services purchased are used after the person becomes a triggered candidate. [239711]
Mr. Wills: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the memorandum submitted by the Electoral Commission to the Public Bill Committee on the Political Parties and Elections Bill of 2007-08, in relation to the proposed new trigger rules, whether being selected as a prospective parliamentary candidate but not being formally adopted as a parliamentary candidate would trigger the individual's election expenses. [239574]
Mr. Wills:
Clause 11 (election expenses incurred for a person not yet a candidate) of the Political Parties and Elections Bill amends the definition of election expenses in section 90ZA of the Representation of the People Act 1983. Under the amended section all expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the candidate on matters listed in Part 1 of schedule 4A of the Representation of
the People Act 1983, which is used for the purposes of the candidate's election, will be regulated, regardless of when that expenditure is incurred.
Therefore whether or not an individual has been formally adopted by a party does not determine whether any expenditure counts towards the candidate's spending limit. The purpose for which the expenditure is used is the decisive factor—any expenditure which falls within the definition in 90ZA will be regulated by the candidate's spending limit, and subsequent expenditure captured by the definition should be aggregated and reported in line with the statutory requirements.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the proposed new guidance on trigger rules from the Electoral Commission will be subject to the negative or affirmative procedure for statutory instruments. [239705]
Mr. Wills: The Electoral Commission may prepare a code of practice on the meaning of election expenses under the power in paragraph 14 of Schedule 4A (guidance by the Commission) of the Representation of the People Act 1983. The commission has been empowered to produce such a code of practice since the Electoral Administration Act 2006 inserted schedule 4A into the 1983 Act. Clause 12 (election expenses: guidance by Commission) of the Political Parties and Elections Bill amends paragraph 14 of Schedule 4A (guidance by the Commission) to expand the matters that can be covered by a code of practice issued under that paragraph.
A code of practice prepared by the commission under Schedule 4A must be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. It must then be laid before Parliament by the Secretary of State (unmodified, or with his explanation of the modifications he has made to it). Parliament then has 40 days to annul the draft if it chooses to do so, and if no such resolution is made, the code shall be published by the Commission to take effect on a date appointed by the Secretary of State.
The Electoral Commission has published guidance on candidate expenditure since the introduction of paragraph 14 of schedule 4A, but it has opted to produce such guidance as part of its more general function to provide guidance and advice in respect of those matters on which it has skill and experience, rather than in the form of a code of practice under schedule 4A. The Commission has indicated that it intends to produce guidance on the new system that would be introduced by clause 11 (election expenses incurred for a person not yet a candidate). Officials from the Ministry of Justice are in discussion with the commission on the form that guidance might take.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans that the provisions in the Political Parties and Elections Bill on European Parliamentary elections are to be commenced in time to apply to the 2009 European elections. [239706]
Mr. Wills:
As I explained when this issue was raised during the Committee stage of the Political Parties and Elections Bill on 18 November 2008, Official Report, column 281, we cannot be certain at this stage that the Bill will receive Royal Assent in time for the provisions in clause 13 of the Bill on boundaries at European
parliamentary elections to be implemented in time for the European parliamentary elections in June 2009. I assured the Committee that we would not seek to commence these provisions for those elections in the event that the Bill did receive Royal Assent before the poll.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to consult on extending local candidate expense limits for parliamentary elections following the proposals to introduce the new trigger rules in the Political Parties and Elections Bill. [239707]
Mr. Wills: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor said during the first public evidence session of the Political Parties and Elections Bill's Committee stages, the proposal to reintroduce triggering in relation to candidate expenditure at parliamentary general elections was announced in the White Paper, “Party finance and expenditure in the United Kingdom (CM7329)”, which was published and debated by both Houses of Parliament on 16 June 2008. The Political Parties and Elections Bill containing the measure was introduced on 17 July 2008. There has thus been opportunity for scrutiny and discussion of the Bill prior to its detailed consideration by Parliament and further consultation is not proposed.
The Government have no current plans to consult on raising the level of the limit.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether contracts entered into before, but discharged after Royal Assent is received to the Political Parties and Elections Bill, will be considered as expenditure that could trigger a candidature. [239708]
Mr. Wills: Clause 11 (election expenses incurred for a person not yet a candidate) of the Political Parties and Elections Bill amends the definition of election expenses in section 90ZA of the Representation of the People Act 1983. Under the amended section, all expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the candidate on matters listed in part 1 of schedule 4A of the Representation of the People Act 1983, which is used for the purposes of the candidate’s election, will be regulated, regardless of when that expenditure is incurred.
There is express provision in the Political Parties and Elections Bill (in clause 11(5)) to make clear that the amendments made by that section do not apply to any expenses incurred before the commencement of that section. While each expense incurred would need to be considered in its own context, expenditure would normally be regarded as being incurred when the amount and the liability to pay are established i.e. at the point at which a contract is entered into. Where expenditure is incurred prior to commencement, it will not count towards a candidate’s expenditure limit, unless the expenditure would be caught by the existing provisions on candidates’ expenditure.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1685W—continued
Mr. Tyrie:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Horsham of 11 November 2008, Official Report, column 1032W, on political parties: finance, whether a candidate who withdraws their candidature and then
after a period of time is subsequently re-adopted, will be deemed not to have triggered when they are re-adopted. [239710]
Mr. Wills: At present, under section 90ZA of the Representation of the People Act 1983, the candidate expenditure limit regulates all expenses incurred ‘at any time’ and used after an individual becomes a candidate at the election.
Clause 11 of the Political Parties and Elections Bill amends the definition of election expenses in section 90ZA of the Representation of the People Act 1983. Under the amended section, all expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the candidate on matters listed in part 1 of schedule 4A of the Representation of the People Act 1983, which is used for the purposes of the candidate’s election, will be regulated, regardless of when that expenditure is used.
Therefore whether or not an individual has been formally adopted by a party does not determine whether any expenditure counts towards the candidate’s spending limit. The purpose for which the expenditure is used is the decisive factor—any expenditure which falls within the definition in 90ZA will be regulated by the candidate’s spending limit, and subsequent expenditure captured by the definition should be aggregated and reported in line with the statutory requirements.
It would not be possible to incur expenses, resign one’s ‘candidacy’ and then relaunch one's ‘candidacy’ at a later point in order to evade the spending restrictions. In this respect, the position is not affected by the amendments in clause 11 of the Political Parties and Elections Bill (Bill 165).
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether a website promoting a candidate that was paid for before the commencement of the trigger provisions would be deemed not to trigger that candidature provided no money was spent on the website under the proposed new trigger rules. [239712]
Mr. Wills: Clause 11(5) of the Political Parties and Elections Bill states that expenses incurred before commencement would not be subject to the amendments made by the clause. Therefore, expense on a website (or other material) would only trigger the expenditure limit if incurred after commencement, unless the expenses would be caught by the existing definition of election expenses.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008, Official Report, columns 752-53W, on political parties: finance, what types of expense used by or on behalf of the candidate would be deemed to be promoting a candidate's election. [239713]
Mr. Wills: The types of spending which the candidate spending limit regulates are set out in Part 1 of Schedule 4A to the Representation of the People Act 1983. Where expenditure is used on these matters for the purposes of the candidate's election, that expenditure would be regulated by the candidate expenditure limit.
Clause 12 (Election expenses: guidance by Commission) of the Political Parties and Elections Bill amends paragraph 14 of Schedule 4A to the 1983 Act and
provides that the Electoral Commission may prepare guidance, in the form of a code of practice, as to the cases or circumstances in which expenses are, or are not, to be regarded as falling within Part 1 of Schedule 4A. Officials from the Ministry of Justice are in discussion with the commission on the form that guidance might take.
Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners serving sentences in HM prisons are beyond their original or adjusted tariff; how many of those maintain innocence of the crime of which they were convicted; what the (a) original and (b) adjusted tariff is in each case; and how long each such prisoner has been detained to date. [239566]
Mr. Hanson: On 24 November 2008, there were 3,949 indeterminate sentenced prisoners in custody recorded as being beyond their original or adjusted tariff.
These figures are taken from the Public Protection Unit Database (PPUD) within the National Offender Management Service. As with any large scale recording system, it is subject to possible errors arising from either data entry or processing.
No central record of prisoners maintaining their innocence is maintained. To establish how many post-tariff indeterminate sentenced prisoners continued to maintain their innocence and how long each such prisoner had been detained to date would require a manual checking of individual records, which, could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.
Dr. Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance is given to prison officers on the wearing of political or religious badges or insignia. [238629]
Mr. Malik: Guidance is given to prison officers in regards to wearing political or religious badges or insignia through Prison Service Order (PSO) 8800 that governs corporate image and uniform policy.
Badges that are issued-by the Prison Service may be worn (e.g. Butler Trust Award pins, Long Service pin). Other badges or tie pins of this nature may be approved at the Governor’s discretion.
The PSO recommends that the following type of badges are not worn:
badges denoting a particular interest not directly related to the work of the Prison Service;
membership badges of clubs and societies etc. (apart from one badge from an officially recognised trade union or a recognised network);
political badges; and
badges or symbols denoting particular religious or other beliefs.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners were released having served in prison less than half their sentence in each of the last three years; what guidance his Department gives on the proportion of a sentence which shall be served in prison; and if he will make a statement. [238265]
Mr. Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation. I will write to the hon. Member once the information is available and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which prisons run a social enterprise programme similar to that established at HMP Coldingley. [237295]
Mr. Hanson: No other prison runs a workshop similar to the Howard League workshop at Coldingley. The workshop was established by the Howard League to explore a particular model of prisoner employment. Constructive and meaningful employment and training for prisoners is found in a large number of prisons.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison guards have been (a) suspended and (b) dismissed for bringing drugs into prisons in each of the last three years; and how many have been prosecuted for offences related to bringing drugs into prisons in each year. [238044]
Mr. Hanson: The requested information is not held centrally in a format that would enable us to answer the specific questions that have been asked. The National Offender Management Service are in the process of gathering this information and I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as it is available and place a copy of the letter in the House Library.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average amount of time each week a prisoner spent on (a) education and (b) working was in each of the last five years. [239896]
Mr. Malik: The following table includes purposeful activity data extracted from National Offender Management Service information systems for each of the last five years for all prisoners in public and contracted sector establishments in England and Wales.
| Financial year | Average number of hours spent in work activities per prisoner per week | Average number of hours spent in educational activities per prisoner per week |
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison governors currently in post held the same post (a) one year ago, (b) two years ago and (c) more than two years ago. [238454]
Mr. Malik: On 31 October 2008, the latest date for which figures are available, prison governors had been in post for the following periods:
Governors who were in their current post November 2007—86
Governors who were in their current post November 2006—54
Governors who were in their current post November 2005—23
There are 125 in charge governors of prisons and young offender institutions within the public sector Prison Service.
Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress has been made in forming a Joint Policy Board to oversee the links between mental health (a) commissioning and (b) provision and the needs of users involved with the police, courts, prisons and secure hospitals in Wales. [237166]
Mr. Hanson: The Welsh Assembly Government has responsibility for commissioning arrangements and provision of mental health services in Wales. I understand that the establishment of a Joint Policy Board for mental health commissioning along the lines indicated was put forward as a proposal in the paper, “A Well Being and Mental Health Service Fit for Wales”, which was published for consultation in April 2008. Following the consultation, the Welsh Assembly Government’s Minister for Health and Social Services issued a written statement on 29 September, which has given the Welsh Assembly view on this issue.
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many body orifice security scanners have been (a) purchased and (b) installed in prisons in England and Wales since July 2008. [238450]
Mr. Malik: Two Body Orifice Security Scanners (BOSS Chairs) have been delivered to prisons since July 2008, and three establishments are currently awaiting delivery. A further 22 BOSS Chairs were already in operation. The National Offender Management Service is currently part way through a procurement exercise to purchase BOSS Chairs for the remainder of the prison estate, for delivery early next year.
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which prisons operate body orifice security scanners. [238451]
Mr. Malik: The following prisons currently use one or more Body Orifice Security Scanner:
HMP Belmarsh
HMP Brixton
HMP/YOI Chelmsford
HMP/YOI Doncaster
HMP Dovegate
HMP Frankland
HMP Full Sutton
HMP Lowdham Grange
HMP Long Lartin
HMP Manchester
HMP/YOI Pare
HMP Wakefield
HMP Wandsworth
HMP Whitemoor
HMP Woodhill
The National Offender Management Service is currently conducting a procurement exercise to purchase BOSS Chairs for the remainder of the prison estate, for delivery early next year.
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the level of funding for the Leicestershire probation area in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12 compared with the most recently announced projections. [239814]
Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice is seeking efficiency savings over the next three years as set out in the Department’s annual report for 2007-08.
Funding plans for 2009-10 and 2010-11 have not yet been agreed. As is the case across Government, the national probation service will need to make efficiency savings, in this case around 2.5 per cent. in the next financial year.
The National Offender Management Service is working to determine how the saving can be achieved in ways that protect front-line services. The aim is to remove overhead and administration and drive improvement in underperforming or expensive services.
Ultimately, the size and scope of any staffing reductions will rest with the 42 areas and trusts who manage probation business at the local level.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what the flat cash grant allocation for the Humberside probation area is for (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12; [239993]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of probation service staff expected to leave Humberside probation area as a result of (a) natural wastage, (b) retirement and (c) redundancy in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12; [239994]
(3) what the estimated share of national savings from the probation service’s budget is which falls to the Humberside probation area in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12; [239995]
(4) what estimate he has made of the reduction in future planned spending for the Humberside probation area in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12. [239996]
Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice is seeking efficiency savings over the next three years as set out in the Department’s annual report for 2007-08.
Funding plans for 2009-10 and 2010-11 have not yet been agreed. As is the case across Government, the national probation service will need to make efficiency savings, in this case around 2.5 per cent. in the next financial year.
The National Offender Management Service is working to determine how the saving can be achieved in ways that protect front-line services. The aim is to remove overhead and administration and drive improvement in underperforming or expensive services.
Ultimately, the size and scope of any staffing reductions will rest with the 42 areas and trusts who manage probation business at the local level.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1691W—continued
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many women were serving prison sentences for offences in connection with prostitution at the latest date for which figures are available. [240010]
Maria Eagle: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many persistent offenders there were in Suffolk in each of the last five years. [240008]
Mr. Hanson: A persistent young offender (PYO) is a young person aged 10 to 17 who has been sentenced guilty of recordable offences on three or more separate occasions, and within three years of the last of these is arrested by the police for a further recordable offence.
Statistics relating to PYOs are designed to measure the speed and efficiency of the youth justice system; through monitoring the pledge to halve the average time from arrest to sentence for dealing with PYOs in England and Wales from 142 days in 1996 to 71 days. They are not designed to measure overall trends in youth crime, and will give a misleading picture of the true trend if used for this purpose.
The following table shows the number of individual PYOs in the Suffolk police force area and England and Wales from 2003 to 2007.
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
Further information on PYOs can be found on the Ministry of Justice website:
www.justice.gov.uk/publications/averagetimearresttosentencepyo.htm.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what powers he has given the Royal Parks Agency to issue fixed penalty notices; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the representations his Department has received on the issue from the agency. [239028]
Maria Eagle: The Government are reviewing the list of offences for which a Penalty Notice for Disorder can be issued. If there is a formal consultation process, responses will be placed in the House of Commons Library.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convicted sex offenders have volunteered for antilibidinal drug treatment in prison since the programme's introduction. [239392]
Mr. Hanson: In 2007, a Department of Health funded service was established in the Prison Service to facilitate improvements in access to assessment and treatment by the small number of offenders in contact with criminal justice system who may benefit from appropriate medical treatment of sex offenders in the form of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or anti-libidinal medication.
Since the service began, 11 prisoners have been referred for initial assessment. The outcome of referrals is subject to the rules of medical confidentiality. This service is complementary to current local mental health referral procedures for people in contact with the criminal justice.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been imprisoned since 1987 for the theft of books, manuscripts, maps and other materials held in the national collections; and if he will make a statement. [239939]
Maria Eagle: Data held by the Ministry of Justice does not separately classify the offences of theft of books, manuscripts, maps or other materials held in the national collections. Offences of this nature would be charged under the Theft Act 1968 but it is not possible to separately identify document thefts from national collections from other document thefts.
Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many hearing centres (a) have closed in the last 12 months and (b) are scheduled for closure in the next 12 months; [239456]
(2) what proportion of invoices to (a) his Department and (b) its agencies were paid late in the last 12 months; [239457]
(3) how many courts (a) have closed in the last 12 months and (b) are scheduled for closure in the next 12 months. [239342]
Bridget Prentice: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 6 May 2008, Official Report, column 795W, on voting methods, what evaluation reports were produced following the May 2000 pilot schemes. [238695]
Mr. Wills: The Local Government Association published a research report, ‘Elections—the 21st century model: an evaluation of the May 2000 local electoral pilots’, in November 2000. Each local authority also produced a report on their individual pilot.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to hold further weekend voting pilots; and if he will make a statement. [238811]
Mr. Wills:
The Government have no plans at present to conduct further weekend voting pilots at this stage. The “Election Day: Weekend Voting” consultation ended on 26 September. Analysis of the responses received is
now under way. The evidence garnered will be used to inform the debate on the merits of moving polling day to the weekend.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to encourage greater use of remote electronic voting; and if he will make a statement. [238812]
Mr. Wills: The Government are considering what the appropriate next steps are in relation to remote electronic voting, taking account of the valuable learning gained in earlier pilots, reports published by the Electoral Commission and the recent consultation on Election Day which sought views on other forms of voting.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether any election pilot schemes will be adopted in the 2009 local elections. [238813]
Mr. Wills: The Government will not be holding any electoral pilot schemes in local elections in 2009.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate has been made of the (a) setup and (b) average annual costs of enabling voters to use remote electronic voting in all elections across the United Kingdom. [238849]
Mr. Wills: No estimate has been made of the (a) setup and (b) average annual costs of offering remote electronic voting at this stage. The electoral piloting process seeks to identify systems and establish costs for remote electronic voting. The Government are considering the next steps in relation to electronic voting, taking into account the valuable lessons learnt from earlier pilots, including reports published by the electoral Commission, and the recent consultation on election day which sought views on other forms of voting.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department has allocated funding to support the costs of weekend voting. [238850]
Mr. Wills: No provision has yet been made to support the costs of weekend voting at this stage. The Election Day: Weekend Voting consultation closed on 26 September. Analysis of the responses received is now under way and a report will be published as soon as practicable. The evidence gathered will be used to inform the debate on the merits of moving polling day to the weekend.
Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been detained in young offender institutions in the last 12 months. [239442]
Mr. Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what representations he has received in (a) person and (b) writing from children detained in a (i) young offender institution and (ii) secure training centre in the last 12 months; [239694]
(2) what the function is of the Youth Justice Board monitors placed in each secure training centre; what qualifications are required of Youth Justice Board monitors; and how many times a Youth Justice Board monitor has raised a concern in writing relating to the safety or well-being of a child in a secure training centre in each of the last five years; [239695]
Mr. Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many inmates of young offender institutions were treated for drug addiction in each year since 1997. [235954]
Mr. Hanson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation. I will write to the hon. Member once the information is available and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many times restraint techniques have been used in (a) young offender institutions and (b) secure children’s homes in the most recent 12 month period for which figures are available. [239440]
Mr. Hanson: The following table sets out the number of occasions on which Restrictive Physical Intervention (RPI) was used at young offender institutions (YOIs) and secure children’s homes (SCHs) between 1 October 2007 and 30 September 2008.
The use of restraint is governed by the YJB Code of Behaviour Management. Recorded incidents of restraint (using the YJB’s definition of “Restrictive Physical Intervention”) include minor interventions such as leading a person away by the elbow.
| RPIs | |
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) the UK received (i) adult learning grants and (ii) career development loans in the last period for which figures are available; and what the total monetary value was of such grants and loans. [238105]
Mr. Simon:
The issues raised are matters for the Learning and Skills Council who administer Career Development Loans and the Adult Learning Grant for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and who have responsibility for the contract with the helpline, assessment and payment body who deliver the
Adult Learning Grant. Mark Haysom, the Council's chief executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the average cost of an adult education course was in (a) England, (b) Houghton and Washington East constituency and (c) the City of Sunderland in the latest period for which figures are available. [239697]
Mr. Simon: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the average cost of an adult education course was in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire in the most recent period for which figures are available. [239948]
Mr. Lammy: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what progress he is making towards meeting the target of having 500,000 high quality apprenticeships in the UK by 2020; and if he will make a statement. [232018]
Mr. Simon: We are making good progress towards my Department's contribution to meeting the Nation's skills challenge. We estimate that by 2020 we will need to provide 250,000 apprenticeship starts and 190,000 successful completions in England to deliver Lord Leitch's ambition. Last year (2006-07) we delivered 184,000 apprenticeship starts and 112,000 successful completions. Completion rates have improved from 24 per cent. in 2001-02 to 63 per cent. in 2006-07. Data on the number of starts in 2007-08 is due to be published in December. World-class apprenticeships, published earlier this year, confirmed our commitment to making apprenticeships a high quality option for both young people and adults and set out steps to increase the numbers of people successfully completing an apprenticeship. In the summer, we published an Apprenticeships Draft Bill to drive and help sustain improvements in the quality of the programme. This focus on continuous improvement will be complemented by an increase in apprenticeships funding to over £1 billion by 2010-11.
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much his Department and each of its predecessors spent on advertising and marketing apprenticeship schemes in each year since 1997. [232020]
Mr. Simon:
The Learning and Skills Council has been responsible for promoting apprenticeships since it came into existence in April 2001. The Council’s Chief Executive, Mark Haysom, will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy will be place in the Library. Before April 2001 promotion of apprenticeships
was the responsibility of the Department for Education and Employment and the Training and Enterprise Councils. It is not possible to estimate the total amount spent on promotional activities in this period.
Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people were in apprenticeships in Enfield North constituency in each year since 1997. [235450]
Mr. Simon: Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship starts and completions for learners living in the parliamentary constituency of Enfield, North. Figures are presented from 2002/03 to 2006/07, the latest year for which fully audited data are available. Comparable information is not available prior to the formation of the Learning and Skills Council in 2001.
| Table 1: Apprenticeship starts and completions in Enfield, North | ||
| Academic year | Apprenticeship starts | Apprenticeship completions |
| Notes: 1. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding. 2. Parliamentary constituency is based on learner's home postcode. Source: Work Based Learning ILR data. | ||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1696W—continued
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people in Suffolk were on (a) apprenticeships and (b) advanced apprenticeships in each of the last five years. [240007]
Mr. Simon: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much his Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made by (a) air and (b) rail. [239495]
Mr. Simon: The Department does not maintain records of expenditure on air fares and rail fares by destination or the number of journeys to individual destinations. Therefore the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
All travel by Civil Servants is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Civil Service Management Code and departmental staff handbooks.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months. [237484]
Mr. Simon: In 2007 DIUS held a competition for further education college students to design an electronic Christmas card for the Department. The competition was won by Matthew Boulton college. This incurred no significant cost to the Department as colleges were individually invited to participate. The prize—a trip to a design centre or space centre—was donated by our partners. The DIUS Christmas card was distributed electronically through existing e-mail routes and therefore incurred no significant costs.
In 2008 DIUS held another electronic Christmas card competition. The result of that competition will be made known shortly.
In 2007-08 the Secretary of State hosted one official Christmas function for 50 people which cost £665. Departmental divisions do hold Christmas parties for staff to attend, for which staff must pay themselves.
DIUS did not purchase any Christmas decorations in 2007-08.
Details of expenditure by the Department's agencies—National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) and UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO)—in 2007-08 are as follows:
| £ | ||
| NWML | UK-IPO | |
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the Government’s response to the Second Report Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee on the Work and Operation of the Copyright Tribunal HC 637, what plans his Department has to reform the Copyright Tribunal; what steps he has taken in this respect; what timescale he has established for reform; and what plans he has to consult on granting collecting societies the right to make reference to the Tribunal. [234893]
Mr. Lammy: As I said before the House during the adjournment debate on 12 November, I am pleased to announce that the Intellectual Property Office is implementing a series of reforms.
Specifically, the IPO is undertaking reforms in three areas:
The IPO has established the Registry of the Tribunal in London, and increased staff resources. Furthermore, the IPO is in the process of recruiting eight new lay members to the tribunal, and the Secretary of State will announce these appointments in April 2009. Finally, the IPO has agreed a timetable with the Judicial Appointments Commission to recruit a Deputy Chairperson. The Lord Chancellor will announce the appointment in early April 2009.
The Rules of Procedure are currently under revision, with a view to bringing them into line with the Civil Procedure Rules.
The IPO is analysing a number of issues in relation to the jurisdiction of the Copyright Tribunal. I expect this work to have been completed, and to be in a position to bring forward proposals, in 2009.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since its inception; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [239149]
Mr. Simon: The Department was created on 28 June 2007. Sickness absence figures for the period July 2007 to June 2008 are available on its website:
www.dius.gov.uk/press/civil_sickness.html.
The figures include the Department's two agencies, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO), but they do not include the non-departmental public bodies as the information for them is not held centrally.
The department is committed to managing sickness absence effectively and is developing its absence management policies, including targets to reduce sickness absence.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether food and drink on sale to staff of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds. [237420]
Mr. Simon: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) is located across sites in London, Runcorn, Darlington and Sheffield. In London, the catering contract is let on a commercial basis. DIUS does not subsidise food or drink here. At the other locations, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) is the major occupier. Neither Department subsidises, from public funds, the food and drink that is on sale to staff.
The National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) does not subsidise food and drink on sale to staff at its premises.
The United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) does subsidise food and drink. This small subsidy will be eliminated by 2010-11.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239146]
Mr. Simon:
The Department's executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although
civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office ‘Public Bodies’ publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many external consultants work for his Department. [235314]
Mr. Simon: In keeping with good procurement practice most consultancy contracts placed by Department are based on a requirement for the delivery of outcomes or outputs, and not for a number of consultancy days or hours. We are, therefore, unable to answer the question in the way it has been asked. However, the total number of live consultancy contracts in former Department for Education and Skills; Higher Education Group and Further Education Group, at the end of August 2008 was 17. Work is progressing to harmonise policies within the former Department for Trade and Industry Groups, Government Science, Innovation, Science and Research, to capture group portfolio information on external based resource, and therefore is not currently collected in the form requested and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239148]
Mr. Simon: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many employees in his Department have taken early retirement since its inception; and at what total cost. [238969]
Mr. Simon: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much his Department has spent on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment since its creation; and how much his Department's agency spent on such equipment in each of the last three years. [237440]
Mr. Simon: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was created as a result of machinery of government changes in June 2007. Information on expenditure prior to 2007-08 is not held in this Department.
Details of expenditure on the following items by DIUS and its agencies, the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) and the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO), are:
| Flat screen TVs | DVD Players | Stereo equipment | |
| (1 )Leased for over five years. | |||
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the cost of maintaining his Department's website (a) was in 2007-08 and (b) is projected to be in 2008-09. [235323]
Mr. Simon: The cost of maintaining the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills website in 2007-08 was £104,336.96 inclusive of VAT.
The Department was set up with an interim site and most of its information content continued to be hosted in DCSF and BERR sites. The Department is currently in the process of changing web suppliers and completely redoing the corporate website to enable migration of all content currently hosted by legacy departments. Therefore the projected costs for 2008-09 can be broken down into two parts.
(1) The ongoing hosting and maintenance costs with the incumbent suppliers will be in the region of £120,000.
(2) The projected total costs for redeveloping the corporate site which is broken down into initial set up costs that will only be required in 2008-09 and ongoing maintenance and service is as follows.
Design: Following a competitive tender the website redesign, including research, scoping, design and production of templates and user testing is approximately £100,000.
Hosting and infrastructure: Using a shared service with the Department for Children, Schools and Families the Department is developing a new web hosting infrastructure and content management system. This cost also includes scoping, hardware and full content migration of over 20,000 pages of content from DCSF and BERR. The cost for this is approximately £240,000.
There is also a projected annual maintenance and service cost which may be in the region of £85,000.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since its inception; and at what cost in each year. [239087]
Mr. Simon: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was established in June 2007. The Department employed one special adviser initially, rising to two from September 2007. A new special advisor was appointed on 1 September 2008, with one of the existing special advisors having a handover period agreed with Cabinet Office before leaving.
The Department's full complement of press officers has been 13 throughout that time, though in the earlier months of the Department's existence there were a number of vacancies.
The total cost of the press office to date is £267,095.52, costs of DIUS special advisers salaries are included in the annual Ministerial Statement on special advisers' paybands.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239147]
Mr. Simon: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was established in June 2007.
In 2007-08 the department spent £2,523,721 on publicity, and advertising. For 2008-09 £740,496 has been spent.
For much of its business the Department operates through a number of arms length bodies including non-departmental public bodies and other agencies. The Department does not hold the information requested centrally and there would be a disproportionate cost to gather the information.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1701W—continued
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff has been since his Department was established. [237505]
Mr. Denham: Three civil servants support the Secretary of State’s special advisers. They provide support of a non-political nature in accordance with the code of conduct for special advisers.
Individual civil servants’ salary details are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been in the last 12 months. [238171]
Mr. Simon: None. Special adviser have no entitlement to an allocated Government car. During their employment within the Department special advisers are civil servants and their travel arrangements are made in accordance with the rules and guidance seiM4 in the Civil Service Management Code, and departmental staff handbooks.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239657]
Mr. Simon: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [238990]
Mr. Simon: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract since the inception of his Department. [239689]
Mr. Simon: Information on whether there has been any abortive cost to the Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract is not collected centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since its inception; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239049]
Mr. Simon: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was established in June 2007. Since that date the Department has spent £42,075 on focus groups. For the remainder of 2008-09 we estimate spending £8,645.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many citizens' juries his Department has held since 1 July 2007; what the cost was of each; what issues were discussed at each event; and how many (a) Ministers and (b) members of the public attended each event. [227469]
Mr. Simon: DIUS has run three citizens’ juries: one on informal adult learning, and two on English for Speakers of Other Languages. The total cost was £189,965. The events involved 143 members of the public and three Ministers also attended.
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure applications for education maintenance allowance are dealt with as quickly as possible. [225130]
Jim Knight: I have been asked to reply.
This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the educational maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about applications made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Oxford, East with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the average time taken to complete applications for education maintenance allowance was from receipt of application to confirmation of award in the latest period for which figures are available. [225132]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the educational maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about applications made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Oxford East with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much was spent per prisoner on providing education in prisons in each of the last five years; and what the total cost was. [239894]
Mr. Simon: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the average cost was of providing an hour's education to a prisoner in each of the last five years. [239895]
Mr. Simon: The information requested is not collected centrally.
The Learning and Skills Council assumed responsibility for planning and funding the new integrated Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) across England with effect from 31 July 2006, putting in place a series of contracts to deliver learning and skills in public sector prisons across England. We do not have detailed information on the learning hours delivered through the predecessor contracts.
On the basis of the Learning and Skills Council's total spend on learning delivery in public sector prisons in England, the total number of teaching hours delivered and assuming an average class size of eight prisoners, the average cost per prisoner of providing an hour's education was £8.19 in academic year 2006-07 and £7.30 in academic year 2007-08.
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2008, Official Report, columns 103-4W, on admissions to higher education, if he will provide a breakdown of the figures for expenditure on student support in each year in accordance with the categories in footnote 4 of the table. [232279]
Mr. Lammy: Detailed breakdown of expenditure on student support in financial years 1997-98 to 2010-11 is as follows:
| £million | ||||||||
| 1997-98 Outturn | 1998-99 Outturn | 1999-2000 Outturn | 2000-01 Outturn | 2001-02 Outturn | 2002-03 Outturn | 2003-04 Outturn | 2004-05 Outturn | |
| 2005-06 Outturn | 2006-07 Outturn | 2007-08 Estimated outturn | 2008-09 Plans( 1) | 2009-10 Plans( 1) | 2010-11 Plans( 1) | |
| (1 )As set out in our Departmental Annual Report 2008. The grant expenditure plans will be revised in the future to reflect the greater than expected demand for higher education grants and the adjusted eligibility for grants from 2008/09 and 2009/10. Note: The student loans RAB charge represents the future cost to Government of subsidising and writing off the student loans issued in that year; it does not represent the amount of cash lent to students, which has risen each year since the introduction of student loans. | ||||||
Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 29 October 2008, Official Report, columns 32-3WS, on Education (Student Support) Regulations, when the Higher Education Council for England advised his Department of the likely number of additional student numbers that would be allocated in 2009-10; and how many additional student numbers they expect to allocate in 2009-10. [233707]
Mr. Lammy: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State indicated, in the annual grant letter of 18 January 2008 to the Higher Education Funding Council for England which set out the Government's strategic priorities for institutional funding, that planned student numbers should increase by 35,000 by 2009/10 compared with 2007/08. In his written ministerial statement of 29 October 2008, Official Report, column 32-33WS this was revised to 30,000 students over the same period, including growth of 10,000 students between 2008/09 and 2009/10.
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many additional student places have been created in each year since 1992. [235329]
Mr. Lammy: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (1) what data he holds on the parental household income of the cohort of undergraduates entering higher education in October 2008; [236249]
(2) what information his Department holds on the proportion of undergraduates studying for first degrees who have a parental household income of between (a) £25,000 and £30,000, (b) £30,001 and £40,000, (c) £40,001 and £50,000, (d) £50,001 and £60,000, (e) £60,001 and £70,000 and (f) £70,001 and over. [236250]
Mr. Lammy: Complete information on household incomes of students is not available centrally.
During November the Student Loans Company will publish the Statistical First Release Student Support for Higher Education in England, Academic Year 2008-09 (Provisional). This will include early provisional information on grants in 2008-09 and complete information on grants in academic year 2007-08.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many 16 to 24 year olds were in post-16 education in (a) Hertfordshire and (b) Hemel Hempstead in each year since 1997. [238188]
Mr. Simon: Table 1 shows the number of 16 to 18-year-old Learning and Skills Council funded learners living in Hertfordshire local authority, and separately for learners living in the Parliamentary Constituency of Hemel Hempstead. Figures are presented from 2004-05 to 2006-07, the latest year for which fully audited data is available. Comparable information is not available prior to the formation of the Learning and Skills Council in 2001.
| Table 1: Number of learners funded by the Learning and Skills Council for Hertfordshire local authority and the parliamentary constituency of Hemel Hempstead by funding stream, 2004-07. | ||||||
| Adult and community learning | Further education colleges | University for industry | Work based learning | Train to gain | Total | |
| Notes: 1. Figures are taken from the Individualised Learner Record final F05 data freezes. 2. Robust figures prior to 2004-05 are not currently available at local authority and parliamentary constituency level. 3. Local authority and parliamentary constituency are based on home postcode of the learner. Parliamentary Constituency is based on the 2006-07 boundaries for all years. 4. For Train to Gain and Work Based Learning, participation is counted as the number of starters. 5. There may be an element of double counting in the figures as some learners will participate in more than one funding area. 6. Totals may not equal the sum of their components due to rounding. 7. Train to Gain was created in April 2006. Standard reporting practice is to include the months of April to July 2006 in the 2006-07 academic year. | ||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1706W—continued
1. Between 2004-05 and 2006-07, there was a significant shift in the types of further education provision that attracted public funding. Realignment of funding towards longer courses offering adults the greatest opportunity to gain the skills to enter and progress in sustained employment has necessarily led to a decrease in the overall number of LSC funded learners.
2. However, it cannot be assumed that these courses and learners no longer exist—for example, in 2006-07, there were more than 550,000 adult learners in FE colleges who received no LSC funding for their course, either
because they or their employer paid the full fee, or because they were funded through a different funding stream.
3. Where a course no longer attracts public funding, we expect colleges and providers to continue to offer those courses, at full cost, in response to demand. We are also working with colleges to ensure they are more efficient in the way they collect fee income from those learners and employers who are expected to contribute towards fees to enable them to support those who need it most.
Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many and what percentage of students were admitted to (a) Oxford University, (b) Cambridge University and (c) one of the Russell Group of universities from each local education authority in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [238192]
Mr. Lammy: The information is shown in the table, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The latest period for which figures are available is the 2006/07 academic year, figures for the 2007/08 academic year will be available in late January 2009.
This Government remain totally committed to widening participation in higher education (HE), for those from poorer and other under-represented backgrounds. This includes those young people who overcome the greatest challenges, not just to go to university at all, but to one of the most selective universities or courses. We, together with the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the universities themselves, are working to raise both aspirations of young people and attainment—to unlock the talent of each student so that they can progress to a university that will help them realise their full potential.
Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what percentage of (a) state school and (b) private school students in (i) England, (ii) the City of Sunderland and (iii) Houghton and Washington East constituency were admitted to higher education in each year since 1997. [239696]
Mr. Lammy: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what percentage of (a) state and (b) private school students in (i) Hemel Hempstead and (ii) Hertfordshire were admitted to higher education in each year since 1997. [239947]
Mr. Lammy: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many higher education institutions offered courses in building conservation and related subjects in each year since 1997; and what percentage of the total number of institutions this represents. [238013]
Mr. Lammy: Information taken from the UCAS website shows that, for the 2009 year of entry, there are seven institutions offering full-time undergraduate courses in building conservation.
This represents 2.25 per cent. of all 311 institutions held on the UCAS website. Earlier information on the number of courses offered is not available.
Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills which (a) universities and (b) further education colleges in England have operating deficits; and if he will make a statement. [233713]
Mr. Simon: Information on the operating deficits of individual universities and further education (FE) colleges is not held at Departmental level. The financial performance of universities and FE colleges is a matter for the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Learning and Skills Council respectively. The chief executives of both organisations, Professor David Eastwood and Mark Haysom, has written to the hon. Member for Reading East with the information requested and a copy of their replies has been placed in the House Library.
Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 13 November 2008:
I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question 233713 that asked:
“Which (a) universities and (b) further education colleges in England have operating deficits”
Of the 363 Further Education Colleges in England, 120 have reported in-year operating deficits for the year ended 31st July 2008, according to the latest available information which is taken from the 2008 College Financial Plans (annual returns which are due each 31st July). This data included in these plans is unaudited. Audited figures for the year ended 31st July 2008 are due to be received at the LSC by 31st December 2008.
A list of the 120 colleges is attached.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills if he will consider introducing a national bursary scheme for higher education students to distribute financial support on the basis of need. [237944]
Mr. Lammy: Under the current arrangements, institutions are required to pay a minimum bursary to all students receiving the maximum grant. Beyond this, it is for institutions themselves, subject to approval from OFFA, to decide how to support their students. The latest figures show that acceptances to universities for England are at an all time high, with the proportion of applicants from lower socio-economic groups also up. How the bursary system has operated will be looked at in the independent review of the way in which the fee system operates. We are reluctant at this stage to say that we should go from a system of locally determined bursaries to a national bursary system, which would simply be an extension of student financial support. Sir Martin Harris has judged that there is far more money in the bursary system as a result of local decisions than would have been the case had we imposed a bursary target as part of the fees legislation.
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many university places were co-funded with employers in (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07, (c) 2007-08 and (d) 2008-09; and how many he expects to be so funded in 2009-10. [238885]
Mr. Lammy: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) allocated funding to higher education institutions to support 911 and 3,840 employer co-funded places (on a headcount basis) in 2006/07 and 2007/08 academic years, respectively. To date, HEFCE has allocated funding to support a target of 9,712 places (headcount) for 2008/09.
HEFCE expect to support at least 10,000 employer co-funded places (headcount) in 2009/10, in line with the target set out in the 2008 HEFCE grant letter.
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much public funding was provided for the teaching costs of each place for first-time UK and EU undergraduates for courses (a) co-funded and (b) not co-funded with employers on average in the latest period for which figures are available. [238921]
Mr. Lammy: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) allocated an average rate of teaching grant per employer co-funded UK and EU student in 2008/09 of £,2961 per year (full time equivalent) and £4,194 for fully funded students. Whilst the average employer co-funding rate is less than 50 per cent., HEFCE have asked institutions receiving development funding for ECF projects to achieve 50 per cent. by the end of 2010/11.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much his Department and its predecessors have spent on (a) higher education and (b) further education in West Lancashire constituency since 1997. [225759]
Mr. Lammy: Expenditure incurred by HEFCE, the Student Loans Company and the Learning and Skills Council is not collected by the Department at the level of detail requested. We will, however, work with HEFCE and the Student Loans Company to try to gain a detailed breakdown of the higher education expenditure and will write to the hon. Member with further relevant detail. Mark Haysom, the LSC’s Chief Executive will write to the hon. Gentleman with additional information on further education expenditure.
Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much quality-related research funding was allocated to each university in the most recent research assessment exercise, broken down by region. [236593]
Mr. Lammy: The following table gives QR funding for each institution in 2008/09, grouped by region.
Figures include late grant adjustments, and reflect mergers. Figures exclude Research Capability funds.
| Quality-related research (QR) funding for 2008-09, by region | ||
| Region | Institution name | £ million |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1712W—continued
Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of quality-related research funding for universities in the most recent research assessment exercise was allocated to university departments in each star rating category. [236594]
Mr. Lammy: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 27 October 2008, Official Report, columns 691-92W, to the hon. Member for Northampton, South (Mr. Binley).
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what action the Government has taken to improve the reading and writing skills of parents. [239449]
Beverley Hughes: Parents improving their reading and writing skills remains an important priority for the Government. The Department for Children Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills commit over £47 million per year to family learning programmes.
The Family Literacy Language and Numeracy programme (FLLN) targets approximately 60,000 parents per year in the most deprived local authorities in England. The aim of the programme is to raise the literacy, language and numeracy skills of parents and/or carers; improve parents' and/or carers' ability to help their children and to improve children's acquisition of literacy language and numeracy skills. FLLN has been successful in encouraging parents to re-enter education, training and work.
The Family Learning Impact Funding (FLIF) announced in the Department for Children Schools and Families' Children's Plan in December 2007 is designed to expand and further develop existing family learning provision to extend the reach of the programme, meet individual needs more effectively, improve the quality of provision for parents and increase the number of disadvantaged parents achieving qualifications and progressing.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps he is taking to promote opportunities for those over 30 years old to study at university both as full-time and part-time students. [239438]
Mr. Lammy:
We are providing more opportunities for those over 30 with generous support arrangements to help with costs of study for both full and part-time
learners; innovative forms of higher education that are particularly attractive to adults already in the workforce; and opportunities for progression through Access courses.
Numbers of part-time and mature students have increased significantly under this Government. Some 300,000 more students are in higher education now than 10 years ago and that trend will continue.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills if he will estimate the cost to an individual of obtaining an NVQ level II qualification. [236946]
Mr. Simon: Where a learner is aged under 19 at the start of their programme they will not be required to contribute towards the costs of their course. This also applies where a learner is aged 19 or over and studying for their first full level 2 qualification and / or on income-related benefits.
Where a learner is aged 19 or over, and not eligible for full fee remission, it is assumed within the funding methodology that a contribution of 42.5 per cent. (in 2008-09) is made towards the cost of the course.
The funding rate for a NVQ level 2 qualification (excluding uplifts to take into account the subject of the course or the location of the college/provider), and therefore the assumed fee contribution from the individual, is based on the amount of hours required to deliver the course.
On this basis a full time NVQ level 2 qualification would attract a funding rate of just over £3,200. The assumed fee contribution (at 42.5 per cent. would therefore be £1363 - this is for the entire length of the programme (not per year). However, while this would represent the assumed fee contribution it is for the college or provider to determine the actual level of fee charged to a learner.
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2008, Official Report, columns 1398W, on students: fees and charges, how many and what proportion of (a) undergraduate and (b) postgraduate students studied part-time in each year between 1992-93 and 2001-02. [238799]
Mr. Lammy: Figures are shown in the following table. The break in the time series represents a change in the source of the figures. Figures for 1992/93 and 1993/94 include FE colleges, whereas figures from 1994/95 onwards do not, so figures across the time series are not directly comparable.
| Number and proportion of part-time undergraduate and postgraduate enrolments( 1) —English higher education institutions— academic years 1992/93 to 2001/02 | ||||||
| of which: part-time | of which: part-time | |||||
| Academic year | Total undergraduates | Number | Percentage | Total postgraduates | Number | Percentage |
| (1) Figures cover enrolments of all domiciles. (2) Figures for 1992/93 and 1993/94 include FE colleges, whereas later years do not. Sources: For 1992/93 and 1993/94: Universities Statistical Record (covering students in former UFC funded universities as at 31 December) and the Further Education Statistical Record (covering students in former polytechnic colleges, HE and FE colleges as at 1 November). Figures have been rounded to the nearest five. For 1994/95 onwards: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Figures are on a DIUS Snapshot basis as at the 1 December to maintain a consistent time series across all years and are rounded to the nearest five. Figures exclude those on writing up, sabbatical or dormant modes of study. Percentages are based on un-rounded figures. | ||||||
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many staff in his Department left under (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) his Department and its predecessor (Z) each of his Department's agencies. [237349]
Mr. Simon: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many of his Department's staff who left under (a) an involuntary and (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since it was established received a severance package of (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if he will make a statement. [239157]
Mr. Simon: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether he has received the report from Ecsite-UK on science and discovery centres; and if he will make a statement. [239283]
Mr. Lammy: As recommended by the Science and Technology Select Committee in October 2007, DIUS has commissioned independent research on science and discovery centres—both Ecsite-uk members and others. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, received a copy of the project specification from my hon. Friend, the then Minister of State for Science and Innovation, on 12 June. Frontier Economics were commissioned in July 2008 to conduct the study, which focuses on science centres’ contribution to science and society goals, compared with other DIUS-funded providers of enrichment activities. Their report is expected in January 2009.
Ecsite-uk completed a small-scale joint DIUS/DCSF-funded study of the value of their own science centres; this was published on their website in April 2008.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assistance the Government has provided to York as a science city since 1998. [237058]
Mr. Lammy: The Government have not provided any direct national funding to York as a Science City since the role of Science Cities is to bring together existing public investment in science and urban regeneration, and any additional funding is at the discretion of the Science City partners.
However, Yorkshire Forward has made the following investments to support York as a science city since 2001:
| Programme | Amount invested (£) |
|
To support Science City York Business Hub and Spoke enterprise project | |
The University of York, one of the two Science City York principle shareholders, has received nearly £69 million funding between 2002-08 from DIUS and the Higher Education Funding Council through the three rounds of the Science, Research and Investment Fund (SRIF). SRIF’s replacement Research Capital Investment Fund (RCIF), which was established in July 2008, will be investing a further £21 m in the University of York during the three years 2008-11.
The University of York has also received over £6 million in funding from the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) to boost its knowledge transfer capacity since 2001.
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills (1) how many companies have signed the Skills Pledge since its launch; [238883]
(2) how much his Department has spent on promoting the Skills Pledge. [238884]
Mr. Simon: The Skills Pledge is a voluntary, public commitment by employers to support their employees to develop their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, and work towards relevant, valuable qualifications to at least Level 2 (equivalent to five good GCSEs). It is not a product or service but a philosophy which signals an employers’ understanding of the value of skills to their business and to their employees. We have made excellent progress since the launch of the Skills Pledge in June 2007 and, to date, 7,628 employers in England have made the Skills Pledge.
The Department has spent £1,154,000 on promoting the Skills Pledge since its inception, funded through the Learning and Skills Council.
Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many UK-domiciled students with a household income of between £50,020 and £60,000 the Higher Education Funding Council for England estimates will enter higher education in 2009-10. [233708]
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 29 October 2008, Official Report, columns 32-3WS, on the Education (Student Support) Regulations, what estimate he has made of the number (1) of students who would otherwise have expected to receive (a) a full grant and (b) a partial grant for their higher education studies had they commenced in 2008-09 who will receive no grant as a consequence of the reduction of the income threshold.; [233594]
(2) of prospective students who left school in 2008 and plan to enter university in 2009 and who did not receive the level of higher education grant they would have received had they entered university in 2008 as a consequence of the reduction in the income threshold. [233595]
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1717W—continued
Mr. Lammy: On 29 October 2008, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, announced that the Government are making extra money available, totalling £100 million in steady state, to meet the higher than expected demand for student support in 2009/10 and beyond. This will enable the Government to maintain their intention that two-thirds of eligible students should receive either the full grant of £2,906 or a partial grant in 2009/10. We also expect that our commitment for one-third of eligible students to receive a full grant will be exceeded—under the new package, we anticipate that 40 per cent. of students may be eligible for a full grant.
All 2009/10 entrants will be eligible for the same or higher levels of grant than they would have received in 2007/08. Eligible new students in 2009/10 from households with incomes from £18,000 to £50,000 will receive more grant that they would have done in 2007/08. New students in 2009/10 with incomes up to £57,000 will be eligible for more total support than in 2007/08.
In 2009/10, low income entrants will receive £2,906 of maintenance grant and £3,497 of maintenance loan. In real terms, the maintenance grant will be over 20 per cent. higher than in 1997/98 and the maintenance loan over 50 per cent. more generous.
I refer the hon. Member to the evidence given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the Innovation, Universities and Skills Select Committee on 29 October 2008.
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many late payments to students at each university of (a) loans and (b) grants there were in each of the last five years. [237224]
Mr. Lammy: The first payments of income-contingent student loans and grants are made after the university or college confirms that the student is in attendance. On current performance, the Student Loans Company (SLC) then initiates payment within one working day of receipt of the confirmation in all cases. Payments are made through an automated system into bank accounts, which takes three working days from initiation.
A payment may be made after the start of the course if the student’s application has been received late and did not allow sufficient time for processing. A change in student’s circumstances can also affect payment where re-assessment is required. If the reassessment is for a higher amount than the original and/or includes a new product such as a means tested grant then the system works out what the further term 1 payment should be and pays it immediately.
SLC monitors payment performance for loans against a target set in a Service Level Agreement with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and reported in the SLC Annual Report. The target is for 95 per cent. or more of payments to be initiated within one working day of confirmation of attendance, and 99 per cent. within two days. In 2007-08 100 per cent. were initiated within one working day.
The following table shows performance relating to loans given in the annual reports. The target has changed over the years. (The SLC do not keep performance related data specifically for grants.)
| Measure | Target (percentage) | Actual performance (percentage) | |
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the taper rates for the withdrawal of maintenance grants from 2009-10 will be, broken down by household income band. [235316]
Mr. Lammy: On 29 October 2008 my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, announced that the Government are making extra money available, totalling £100 million in steady state, to meet the higher than expected demand for student support in 2009/10 and beyond. This will enable the Government to maintain their intention that two-thirds of eligible students should receive either the full grant of £2,906 or a partial grant in 2009/10. We also expect that our commitment for one-third of eligible students to receive a full grant will be exceeded—under the new package, we anticipate that 40 per cent. of students may be eligible for a full grant.
Further details will be included within the Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No.3) Regulations 2008, which have been laid before Parliament.
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of levels of error and fraud within the maintenance grant system for undergraduate students; and what measures are in place to ensure accurate payment. [238882]
Mr. Lammy: The responsibility for assessing student support applications in England generally rests with local authorities and therefore complete information is not centrally available about the levels of error and fraud within the student support system. From 2009/10 the SLC will assess all new applications for student support, and records will be held centrally.
The NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service has carried out a study which estimated the rate of identity related fraud at around 0.6 per cent. of student support applications in 2005/06. Several measures have been taken to further tighten procedures since the study was conducted.
We constantly review procedures to ensure we can prevent and detect fraud, while making it straightforward for genuine students to obtain the funds they need to pursue their studies. Evidence in support of applications is always thoroughly checked before payment is authorised. Where local authorities suspect fraud, they will not process the application until they are completely satisfied with the documentary evidence. The Student Loans Company (SLC) run a range of checks using industry-standard software systems which picks up potential fraudulent applications before payments are made.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the Student Loans Company on the relationship between interest rates on student loans and the Bank of England base rate in light of the current economic situation; and if he will make a statement. [238190]
Mr. Lammy: Government student loans are not like commercial loans and are provided on generous terms with significant Government subsidy. The interest rate is linked to the rate of inflation (RPI) rather than to base rates. The borrower pays back the same amount in real terms as they borrowed.
Unlike a typical commercial loan, the rate of interest on an income contingent loan does not affect borrowers’ monthly repayments, which are made at 9 per cent. of their earnings above a repayment threshold, currently £15,000. If earnings fall below this amount, repayments are suspended. The Student Loans Company update borrowers’ accounts annually after the end of each tax year, once they receive details from HMRC of the payments made through the tax system. Interest is then calculated on a daily basis, and borrowers are sent an annual statement of their loan account. The statement notifies borrowers of the current interest rate, which is also publicised on the SLC’s website and through advertisements in the national press.
The current interest rate is 3.8 per cent. This rate applied from September 2008, and was set at the rate of RPI for the year to March 2008. The interest rate has been set annually each September, using the same methodology, since student loans were first introduced in 1990. The interest rate for income contingent student loans, which were introduced in 1998, is also subject to an additional statutory limit: it cannot at any time exceed a rate of 1 per cent. above the highest of the base rates of a specified list of banks. The interest rate is set in accordance with regulations, and the SLC do not have any discretion in setting or altering the rate.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether interest rates on student loans will be reduced in line with the recent reduction in base rates by the Bank of England. [239787]
Mr. Lammy: Government student loans are not like commercial loans and are provided on generous terms with significant Government subsidy. The interest rate is linked to the rate of inflation (RPI) rather than to base rates. The borrower pays back the same amount in real terms as they borrowed.
Unlike a typical commercial loan, the rate of interest on an income contingent loan does not affect borrowers' monthly repayments, which are made at 9 per cent. of their earnings above a repayment threshold, currently £15,000. If earnings fall below this amount, repayments are suspended. The Student Loans Company update borrowers' accounts annually after the end of each tax year, once they receive details from HMRC of the payments made through the tax system. Interest is then calculated on a daily basis, and borrowers are sent an annual statement of their loan account. The statement notifies borrowers of the current interest rate, which is also publicised on the SLC's website and through advertisements in the national press.
The current interest rate is 3.8 per cent. This rate applied from September 2008, and was set at the rate of RPI for the year to March 2008. The interest rate has been set annually each September, using the same methodology, since student loans were first introduced in 1990. The interest rate for income contingent student loans, which were introduced in 1998, is also subject to an additional statutory limit: it cannot at any time exceed a rate of 1 per cent. above the highest of the base rates of a specified list of banks. The interest rate is set in accordance with regulations, and the SLC do not have any discretion in setting or altering the rate.
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 181W, on young people: unemployment, if he will break down the figures contained in the table by the smallest geographical area for which they are available. [235311]
Mr. Simon: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.
Mike Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many cases of breast cancer were (a) diagnosed and (b) successfully treated in (i) Hertfordshire and (ii) the UK in each of the last 10 years. [239346]
Kevin Brennan: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate the Office of National Statistics has made of the number of patients diagnosed with cancer in each London borough in (a) 2005, (b) 2006 and (c) 2007, broken down by cancer type. [238831]
Kevin Brennan: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate the Office of National Statistics has made of the survival rate for patients diagnosed with cancer in each London borough in (a) 2005, (b) 2006 and (c) 2007, broken down by cancer type. [238832]
Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate the Office of National Statistics has made of the survival rate for patients diagnosed with cancer in each London borough in (a) 2005, (b) 2006 and (c) 2007, broken down by cancer type. [238832]
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) does not produce survival rates by London borough. ONS regularly publishes one- and five-year survival rates for patients resident in government office regions and strategic health authorities. The latest figures are survival rates for eight cancers (bladder, breast, cervix, colon, lung, oesophagus, prostate and stomach) which are available on the ONS website at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=11991
The one- and five-year relative survival rates for patients resident in the London government office region and London strategic health authorities, diagnosed during 1997-99 and followed for survival up to the end of 2004, are given in Table 1.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1722W—continued
| One- and five-year age-standardised( 1) relative survival( 2) (percentage) for adult( 3) patients diagnosed during 1997-99 and followed up to the end of 2004,8 common cancers by sex: strategic health authorities within the London government office region | |||||||||||
| Men | Women | ||||||||||
| One-year | Five-year | One-year | Five-year | ||||||||
| Cancer( 4) | No. of patients | Survival (%) | (95% CI)( 6) | Survival (%) | (95% CI) | No. of patients | Survival (%) | (95% CI) | Survival (%) | (95% CI) | |
| * All ages ‘15-99’ survival rate not age-standardised. For some SHAs, the small numbers of cases and deaths for some of these cancers lead to wide random fluctuations in the relative survival rates and this Is reflected in the wide confidence intervals. For some cancers, the numbers of deaths within a SHA were too small for reliable estimation of all of the age-specific survival rates. In such cases, the overall survival rates have not been age-standardised; in the table such rates are marked with an asterisk (*). (1) Cancer survival varies with age at diagnosis, so the survival rates for all ages (15-99 years) have been age-standardised to control for differences in the age profile of cancer patients between geographical areas. We used the standard weights given in Chapter 3 of Coleman M P et al (1999) Cancer Survival Trends in England and Wales 1971-1995: deprivation and NHS Region. Studies in Medical and Population Subjects No.61. London: The Stationery Office. 1999. (2) Relative survival takes into account that some cancer patients will die from causes other than their cancer. It is the ratio of the crude survival to the survival in a corresponding (age and sex) group in the general population. (3) Aged 15-99 years at diagnosis. (4) Cancers registered in 1997-99 are defined by codes in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Therefore, bladder cancer is defined by code C67. breast cancer by code C50. cervical cancer by code C53. colon cancer by code C18. lung cancer by code C34. oesophageal cancer by code C15. prostate cancer by (5) There are well-recognised differences in the classification and registration of some bladder tumours, which are recorded as malignant by some cancer registries and as non-malignant by others. This contributes to some of the apparent geographical variation in the survival rate for bladder cancer. Survival rates for transitional cell papillomas are very high, so where cancer registries define these as malignant, this results in an apparently higher overall survival rate for bladder cancer. (6) On repeated sampling, 95 times out of 100 the true value would be within the calculated confidence interval range and 5 times the true value would be either higher or lower than the range. Source: Office for National Statistics | |||||||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1726W—continued
Mr. Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library a copy of a table listing each grant given by Capacitybuilders to individual voluntary groups and organisations since its establishment. [238784]
Kevin Brennan: Capacitybuilders funds a wide range of grant holders to provide support services to third sector organisations. Lists of grant awards per programme are available from the following website links.
http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/downloadfile.aspx?ID=203
http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/downloadfile.aspx?ID=218
Consortia Modernisation Projects funding allocation 2008 to 2011:
http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/downloadfile.aspx?ID=219
http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/downloadfile.aspx?ID=226
http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/downloadfile.aspx?ID=114
Consortia Projects Programme—funding allocation 2006 to 2008:
http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/downloadfile.aspx?ID=113
http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/downloadfile.aspx?ID=112
This information has been placed in the Libraries in the House.
The grants given out under the different programmes by Capacitybuilders as aforementioned can also be found in their Annual Report and Accounts 2006-07 and 2007-08.
Rob Marris: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) for which ethnic groups not included in the current Census 2011 Test questionnaire consultation on ethnic group, national identity, religion, and language there were the most requests for inclusion in the Census 2011; [221519]
(2) how many of the Sikh organisations which responded to the Census 2011 Test questionnaire consultation on ethnic group, national identity, religion, and language were (a) in favour of and (b) against the inclusion of Sikhs as a separate ethnic group on the Census 2011 itself; [221520]
(3) how many responses to the consultation on the Census 2011 questionnaire the Office for National Statistics received from (a) organisations representing Sikhs and (b) all organisations on possible questions in the 2011 Census on (i) ethnic group, (ii) national identity, (iii) religion and (iv) language. [221521]
Mr. Watson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking 1) for which ethnic groups not included in the current Census 2011 Test questionnaire consultation on ethnic group, national identity, religion and language there were the most requests for inclusion in the Census 2011, 2) how many of the Sikh organisations which responded to the consultation on ethnic group, national identity, religion, and language were (a) in favour of and (b) against the inclusion of Sikhs as a separate ethnic group on the Census itself, 3) how many responses to the consultation on the Census 2011 questionnaire the Office for National Statistics received from (a) organisations representing Sikhs and (b) all organisations on possible questions in the 2011 Census on i) ethnic group, ii) national identity, iii) religion and iv) language. (221519, 221520,221521)
1) The ONS Ethnicity Identity, Language and Religion (EILR) consultation carried out between 2006 and 2007 invited comments and response from any organisation or individual with an interest in the topics, and did not exclude any ethnic groups. The most numerous requests to include ethnic group response categories not specifically covered in the 2007 Test question related to Cornish, Sikh and Kashmiri.
Some community organisations and special interest groups organised for copies of their response to be sent in by individuals as well, resulting in some duplication. This occurred particularly among organisations representing Sikh, Kashmiri and Cornish interests. As the main purpose of the consultation was to identify the range of views held and to understand user needs, the number of responses presented in our consultation reports(1) are based on
the unique responses received, without the duplicates. The reports revealed a need amongst some Sikh Groups for a Sikh ethnic group tick box but not as strong a need for this amongst local and central government and service provider users.
ONS received requests for the inclusion of new response categories from a number of sources and not just consultation exercises. Many more requests for tick-boxes have been received than could possibly be included on the Census form, and so we developed a set of principles by which tick-box categories for ethnic groups could be prioritised. These principles were based on the following criteria (in no particular order):
strength of need for information on the particular ethnic group;
lack of alternative sources of information;
clarity and quality of the information collected;
acceptability to respondents;
comparability with ethnicity data derived from the 2001 Census; and
operational considerations such as length of questions), speed and cost-effectiveness of processing, and ability to collect comparable information in surveys.
It should be noted that proposals for the question content for the 2011 Census have also taken account of an extensive programme of user consultation and question research, testing and development carried out over the period 2005-2007 wider than the recent EIRL consultation. The prioritising of questions and response categories therefore not only takes account of the volume of argument but also has had to ensure that there has been no disadvantage among those groups not able to mobilise themselves in large numbers.
However, ONS has considered all requests seriously and is sensitive to the strength of feeling within communities that have requested tick boxes. We are continuing to work to find alternative ways to provide information where specific tick boxes are not available, using other Census questions and write-in responses.
You will know as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for UK Sikhs that ONS is aware of the concerns raised by the Sikh community, and over the past years we have engaged with their representatives through a variety of events and public consultations on the content of the 2011 Census. These include:
1) A major consultation on 2011 Census content held in 2005
2) Specific consultation on Ethnicity, Identity, Language and Religion (EILR)—2006/2007
3) 2011 Census Open Meetings - March 2007
4) Meeting between ONS and British Sikh organisations, 24 April 2007
5) Correspondence
In addition, the 2011 Census Diversity Advisory Group which covers the interests of a range of special and minority groups includes the British Sikh Federation and the Inter Faith Network (the Network of Sikh Organisations is a member body).
2) There were some 154 responses from ‘Sikh’ organisations to the 2006/7 EILR consultation, which included responses from ‘Gurdwara’ and other related organisations supporting the inclusion of a specific ‘Sikh’ response category in the question. No Sikh organisations responding to the consultation opposed the inclusion of a Sikh tick box in the ethnic group question.
The consultation on the topic content for the 2011 Census has encompassed a wider scope than the recent EILR consultation, and the wording of the currently proposed question also takes account of a programme of small scale testing, cognitive research, focus groups and discussions with the several formal Census Advisory Groups over the period 2005-2007.
3 a) All of the 154 Sikh organisations noted in answer to (2) above, that replied to the EILR consultation, i) all asked for the inclusion of a Sikh tick box in the ethnic group question using the same standard wording. All these organisations also commented on each of the possible questions on ii) national identity, iii) religion and iv) language.
b) Of the 297 responses (excluding those that were repetitions and responses not related to topics), i) 283 commented on the ethnic group question, ii) 257 commented on the national identity question, iii) 266 commented on the religion question and iv) 271 commented on the language question.
(1) Published on 31 October 2007. Available from
http://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011-census/consultations/eth-group-nat-iden/index.html
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many full-time equivalent members of staff were employed by the Central Office of Information (COI) in each year since 1997; what the staffing costs of the COI were over that period; and what budget the COI has been set for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [237607]
Mr. Watson [holding answer 20 November 2008]: The number of full-time equivalent staff (FTE's) employed by the Central Office of Information (COI) and their cost since 1997 can be found in COI's Annual Report.
A budget is not set for future years because the number of staff employed is directly related to the demand for services. If demand increases, staff numbers will increase and vice versa.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the (a) name, (b) cost and (c) purpose was of each advertising campaign carried out by the Central Office of Information in 2005-06. [239580]
Mr. Watson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2008, Official Report, columns 1138-44W, on Central Office of Information: advertising, what the (a) name, (b) cost and (c) purpose was of each advertising campaign carried out by the Central Office of Information. [239599]
Mr. Watson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was paid by the Central Office of Information (COI) to Iris London in each financial year since 2001; which contracts were awarded by the COI to Iris London in each year since 2000-01; what the (a) purpose and (b) cost of each contract was; what penalties for default were imposed in contract provisions; what the length was of each contract; whether each contract was advertised; how many companies applied for each contract; how many companies were short-listed in each case; what criteria were used for selecting the successful tender in each case; what provision was made for renewal without re-tender in each case; and if he will make a statement. [225739]
Mr. Watson: The Central Office of Information (COI) contracts with either Iris Nation (sponsorship) or Iris Direct (Direct Marketing), not the holding group (Iris London).
With regards to the penalties for default imposed in contract provisions, our terms and conditions do not include standard penalty clauses. However, if a contract is terminated through a supplier being in default, COI shall be entitled to recover from the contractor the cost of making other arrangements and any additional expenditure incurred by COI throughout the remainder of the contract period.
Regarding the advertising of each contract, as a Government Department, COI is subject to the EU Public Procurement Directive embodied in UK law by the Public Contract Regulations 2006. The regulations govern the way in which Government contracts are advertised and awarded. For contracts over a threshold value it is a requirement for them to be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), which imposes strict timescales that cannot be shortened. To assist our clients in appointing a supplier in the shortest possible time, we have a number of framework agreements in place. Frameworks are themselves advertised in the OJEU therefore contracts awarded under the terms and conditions of the framework do not need to be re-advertised or apply the strict timescales—as long as timescales are reasonable to allow the suppliers time to provide an adequate response. The majority of COI's spend with external suppliers is via our frameworks. We rarely procure off-framework and when we do and it is over the threshold value we advertise in the OJEU.
Contracts can be renewed without re-tender. Each contract awarded is for a specific term usually relating to the client's allocated budget for that current financial year. Where appropriate, contracts will include the following option for an extension.
"COI reserves the right to extend the contract beyond the period stated above. Payment for any extension shall be based upon the Contract Price subject to fair and reasonable adjustment, to be agreed between COI and the Contractor"
The other information requested by the hon. Member, including the agency pitch selection criteria, has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of active members in the civil service pension scheme joined on or after 30 July 2007; and what projections he has made of changes to this figure over time. [233128]
Mr. Watson: Active members of the civil service pension scheme joining on or after 30 July 2007 participate in the nuvos section. For the proportion of active members of the scheme who are in the nuvos section, I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott) and the hon. Member for Rochdale (Paul Rowen) today to PQs 229520 and 236303.
No projections have been made of the changes over time to the proportion of active members who joined on or after 30 July 2007.
Projections of how the proportion of members who join after April 2006 would increase over time were made in the context of the Public Services Forum agreement in October 2005. I refer the hon. member to the answer the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury gave to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 330W, which indicated the staff turnover assumed across the pension schemes for teachers, the NHS and civil servants.
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many deaths there have been from anorexia in (a) Norwich, (b) Norfolk and (c) the UK in each of the last five years. [238304]
Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths there have been from anorexia in (a) Norwich, (b) Norfolk and (c) the UK in each of the last five years. (238304)
The attached table provides the number of deaths for which anorexia nervosa was the underlying cause of death in the United Kingdom, registered in the years 2003 to 2007 (the latest year available). There were no deaths of people resident in Norwich local authority from anorexia nervosa registered in these years, and one death in Norfolk county, in 2005. Deaths are not all registered in the year they happen. For example, deaths subject to inquest are not normally registered until the inquest is completed, after which the coroner sends a certificate to the registrar.
| Table 1. Number of deaths from anorexia nervosa( 1) , United Kingdom( 2) , 2003 to 2007( 3, 4) | |
| Deaths (persons) | |
| (1 )International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes for deaths with an underlying cause of anorexia nervosa are F50.0 Anorexia nervosa, F50.1 Atypical anorexia nervosa, or F50.2 Bulimia nervosa where the death certificate specified anorexia nervosa in combination with bulimia. (2 )Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland have been provided by the Registrar Generals for these countries. (3 )Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. Where a death is referred to a Coroner and an inquest is held, the death can usually be registered only after the inquest has been concluded. (4 )The figure for Northern Ireland for 2007 is provisional. | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1731W—continued
Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many children in local authority care died in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) cause of death. [239807]
Kevin Brennan: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what the rate of staff (a) absenteeism and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department, (ii) its agency and (iii) each of its non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997-98; what the target rates for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement; [238518]
(2) what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in the Prime Minister's Office in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Office are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238933]
Mr. Watson: The Prime Minister's Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes) on 22 July 2008, Official Report, column 1258W.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department has spent on external consultants in each year since 1997. [239998]
Mr. Watson: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much (a) his Department and its agencies and (b) the Prime Minister’s office have spent on (i) flat screen televisions, (ii) DVD players and (iii) stereo equipment in each of the last three years. [237439]
Mr. Watson: The Prime Minister’s Office forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
James Duddridge: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what types of data have been sold by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations in the last 12 months. [221993]
Mr. Watson: Core information produced by the Cabinet Office can be re-used free of charge under the terms of the PSI Click-Use Licence which is administered by the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) in accordance with the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations.
The Cabinet Office has three types of value added information, where a fee has been levied or royalty payment received over the last year: the Civil Service Year Book, Official Histories and photographs. Licenses for the re-use of this material have been granted by way of the Click-Use licensing system operated by OPSI.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many page hits from how many visitors the departmental website received in 2007-08. [231500]
Mr. Watson: From the data we hold we have ascertained that during the 2007-08 financial year the departmental website
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
received a total of 8,976,021 page hits from a total of 2,794,009 site visits.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the cost of maintaining the departmental website was in 2007-08; and what the forecast is for maintaining websites within his responsibility for 2008-09 financial year. [231501]
Mr. Watson: The cost of maintaining the departmental website for the financial year 2007-08 was £279,377.70 and the forecast for the financial year 2008-09 is £183,201.00.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much surplus land (a) his Department and (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is. [236434]
Kevin Brennan: The Cabinet Office does not have any sites on the Register of Surplus Public Sector sites.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers were employed by his Department in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08; and at what cost in each of those years; [238449]
(2) how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by the Prime Minister's Office in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year. [239084]
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent on employing press and communications officers in (a) his Department, (b) its non-departmental public bodies and (c) its agencies in each of the last three years. [239677]
Mr. Watson: The Prime Minister’s Office forms part of the Cabinet Office.
The Prime Minister publishes on annual basis, a list of the numbers and cost of special advisers. Information for 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008, Official Report, columns 99-101WS.
Regarding the number and cost of press officers I refer hon. Members to the answers that were given on 8 September 2004, Official Report, column 1245W; 10 March 2006, Official Report, column 1837W; 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 849W and 8 July 2008, Official Report, column 1570W. The cost to the Department of press officers for 2006-07 and 2007-08 were:
| £ | |
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08. [237460]
Mr. Watson: The Cabinet Office does not employ any staff specifically on branding activity. Any time spent by members of staff on branding activity has been part of their overall role and it is not possible to identify the proportion of their time and therefore the cost to the Department.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how much (a) his Department, (b) its agency and (c) each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since 1997-98; how much each plans to spend on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement; [238516]
(2) how much the Prime Minister’s Office spent on (a) publicity and (b) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238950]
Mr. Watson: The information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many and what proportion of civil servants in his Department and its agencies are members of the (a) Classic, (b) Classic Plus, (c) Nuvos and (d) Premium civil service pension schemes; and what information he holds on the numbers and proportion of all civil servants who are members of each scheme. [229520]
Paul Rowen: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people belong to each type of civil service pension scheme. [236303]
Mr. Watson: The number and proportion of Cabinet Office staff in the scheme options are set out in the following table:
| Scheme option | Number of staff | Percentage |
The above table includes ex HMSO staff with reserved rights. These members are not Cabinet Office staff but are listed within the pension administrator’s Cabinet Office database.
At 31 March 2008 there were approximately 577,000 active members of the civil service pension scheme. This figure includes non-civil servants eligible to participate in the scheme by virtue of being in an employment listed in schedule I to the Superannuation Act 1972. The approximate split of the active membership was:
| Scheme option | Percentage |
The mean pension payment made to civil service pensioners in 2006-07 (the last year for which Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation Resource Accounts have been published) was £5,293.09. This information corrects the earlier answer given to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Paul Rowen) on 5 November 2008, Official Report, column 495-97W. I apologise for the error.
Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many permanent staff in (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) its agencies are classified as (i) staff without posts and (ii) part of a people action team. [233368]
Mr. Watson: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 4 November 2008, Official Report, column 335W.
Further to that answer an error has been identified: the correct date referenced for the number of employees without a permanent role should have been 30 September 2008.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many press releases were issued by his Department in each year from 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238230]
Mr. Watson: The Central Office of Information's News Distribution Service distributes press releases on behalf of the Department and maintains a record of Cabinet Office press releases since 1997 at
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/search/default.asp.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239649]
Kevin Brennan: The information requested for the Cabinet Office is not readily available and may not be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.
Mr. Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the average monthly income was for disabled adults between the ages of (a) 20 and 29, (b) 30 and 39, (c) 40 and 49 and (d) 50 and 60 years in the latest period for which figures are available. [238260]
| Age | Median monthly income for disabled adults (£) |
| Notes: 1. The table presents median monthly income, net of tax and national insurance contributions, for disabled adults in the UK. This is consistent with our standard approach used when presenting household incomes in the Households Below Average Incomes. 2. Disability is defined as having any long-standing illness, disability or infirmity that leads to a significant difficulty with one or more areas of the individual’s life. Everyone classified as disabled under this definition would also be classified as disabled under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). However, some individuals classified as disabled under the DDA would not be captured by this definition. 3. The Family Resources Survey (FRS) collects information on the incomes and circumstances of private households in the United Kingdom. The FRS is a nationally representative sample, covering approximately 26,000 households in 2006-07, the latest survey year. 4. The estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors which align the FRS to Government Office Region populations by age and sex. Estimates are subject to sampling error and remaining non-response error. 5. Evidence suggests that some items of income may be under reported in the survey, particularly self-employment and investment income. 6. Income data on the FRS has not been adjusted to account for variation in household size and composition, or economic status. 7. Most benefits are claimed on a benefit unit basis. Where the benefit unit consists of more than one adult, the benefit income is assigned to the lead claimant. Looking at the income of a subgroup of individuals may not therefore be an accurate reflection of income as it may exclude benefit income paid on behalf of the benefit unit where the individual is not the lead claimant. Source: Family Resources Survey, 2006-07 | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1736W—continued
Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what economic activity levels were in each of the last 17 years. [234489]
Kevin Brennan [holding answer 10 November 2008]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question requesting details of economic activity levels for each of the past seventeen years. I am replying in her absence. (234489)
The level of economic activity is generally equated to levels of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the measure of the production of goods and services in the UK.
Table A provides the latest GDP figures in both current price and real terms together with the annual growth rates for each year since 1991.
| Table A | |||
| GDP at current prices | GDP in real terms | Annual growth rate | |
| Note: Figures are in £ million and are based on data published on 30 September 2008. | |||
Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of the 1,499 Government websites identified for closure in the Varney review have been closed to date. [223370]
Mr. Watson [holding answer 10 September 2008]: Of the 1,561 Government websites that have been identified by the Department Website Review, 549 had been closed by 30 September 2008.
Mr. Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on which dates each financial payment was made to Catz Club by Futurebuilders. [238783]
Mr. Byrne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much funding Futurebuilders has written off in total in relation to the charity Catz Club. [238785]
Mr. Byrne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 28 October 2008, Official Report, column 16W, on Catz Club, for what reasons Futurebuilders decided to terminate its relationship with Catz Club. [238909]
Mr. Byrne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hurd:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2008, Official Report, column 16W, on Catz Club, what
other press releases have been removed from the Futurebuilders website on the basis that they are no longer an investee of Futurebuilders. [238910]
Mr. Byrne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2008, Official Report, column 759, on public relations, how much was spent on Government advertising, marketing and public relations in each year since 1997, according to records held by the Central Office of Information. [237598]
Mr. Watson [holding answer 20 November 2008]: The amount spent on Government advertising, marketing and public relations since 1997, according to records held by the Central Office of Information is shown in the following table.
| £ million | |
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2008, Official Report, column 408W, on immigration, what the level is of net immigration at which the population of the UK would remain below 70 million on unchanged assumptions about birth rates, mortality and emigration levels on the basis of the most recent population projections. [239721]
Kevin Brennan: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Kemp: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what his latest estimate is of the number of lone parents with children under 16 years old in (a) the City of Sunderland, (b) Houghton and Washington East constituency and (c) the UK. [239698]
Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your request asking what the latest estimate is of the number of lone parents with children under 16 years old in (a) the City of Sunderland, (b) Houghton and Washington East constituency and (c) the UK. (239698)
The number of lone parent families in the UK can be estimated using the Annual Population Survey (APS). The table below shows 2007 estimates of lone parent families with children under 16 years old for the City of Sunderland, the Parliamentary Constituency of Houghton and Washington East, and the UK.
| Number of lone parent families with children under 16 | |
| Thousand | |
| Source: APS | |
Mike Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what his most recent estimate is of the number of lone parents who have a child or children under 16 years old in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire. [239944]
Kevin Brennan: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff worked at 10 Downing Street other than in the Prime Minister's office in (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07 and (c) 2007-08. [236660]
Mr. Watson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 1 May 2008, Official Report, column 624W.
David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been (a) investigated and (b) upheld in the last 12 months. [236887]
Mr. Watson: The Cabinet Office has a policy of zero tolerance to all forms of abuse. During the last 12 months the Cabinet Office has not received any official complaints of racial abuse.
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many staff in his Department left under (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) his Department and (Z) its agency; [237346]
(2) how many of his Department's staff who left under (a) an involuntary and (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if he will make a statement. [239151]
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many employees in his Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what cost; [238519]
(2) how many employees in the Prime Minister's Office took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238966]
Mr. Watson: The Cabinet Office, which includes the Prime Minister's Office, has not held involuntary exit schemes during the financial years specified.
For information on voluntary exit schemes for the financial year between 2003-04 and 2006-07, I refer the hon. members to the answer given by the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) on 17 April 2007, Official Report, column 538W. Information for approved departures under voluntary exit schemes in 2007-08 is set out in the following table:
| Number of employees | |
The Cabinet Office aims to ensure that it has a diverse and skilled workforce to meet its business needs. The criteria for voluntary departure schemes are governed by the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. A copy of the scheme has been placed in the Library.
Information on costs of voluntary departure scheme is available only at disproportionate cost.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1740W—continued
Paul Rowen: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps the Contact Council plans to take on replacing revenue sharing phone numbers with 03 numbers; and if he will make a statement. [236197]
Mr. Watson: The use of non-geographic numbers is a matter for individual Departments. It is their responsibility to balance costs and the needs of their users and customers.
The Cabinet Office is working with Government Departments, local authorities and Ofcom, through the Contact Council, to develop guidelines for numbering policy in public sector delivery organisations, including the use of 03 numbers. These guidelines will be published in 2009.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people were employed in the tourism sector in each principal seaside town in (a) 1978, (b) 1988, (c) 1998 and (d) the latest year for which figures are available. [238298]
Barbara Follett: I have been asked to reply.
This information is not centrally held. The most recently available figure for the number of people employed in the tourism sector in the UK is 1.4 million people in 2007. This information is based on labour force and work force surveys.
Mr. Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what monetary payments V (a) has made and (b) is contracted to make to Burston-Marsteller; and for what purposes. [238780]
Kevin Brennan: v is an independent charity funded by the Office of the Third Sector through its strategic grant programme. Details of individual payments are a matter between v and the commercial supplier.
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he plans to answer Question 231272 tabled on 23 October 2008, on assistant regional ministers; and what the reasons are for the time taken to respond. [235634]
Mr. Byrne [holding answer 13 November 2008]: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 24 November 2008.
Mr. Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many 16 to 18-year-olds there were in Suffolk in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what proportion were (a) in full-time work and (b) not in education, employment or training. [240005]
Kevin Brennan: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department’s employees are assigned to issue academic technology approval scheme certificates. [238128]
Gillian Merron: Three members of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Counter Proliferation Department work in the Academic Technology Approval Scheme team and are able to issue certificates.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the answer to Baroness Williams of Crosby of 28 April 2003, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA58, on Afghanistan: witness protection, for what reasons the assurances from the US Administration referred to in the answer were not included in his Department's response to the Freedom of Information request from the hon. Member for Chichester of 25 September 2008. [236480]
Bill Rammell: The assurances from the US included in the response to the hon. Member's Freedom of Information request were identified during the searches undertaken in pursuance of that request, and in particular were drawn from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's extensive work since February on the details and implications of the two cases of rendition through Diego Garcia in 2002. Unfortunately the PQ answer from 28 April 2003 the hon. Member refers to was not discovered during that process. Had it been, it would certainly have been disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act as part of the extensive list of assurances included in our letter of 2 September.
Since the Intelligence and Security Committee Report on Rendition in 2007, we have implemented a more robust system of record keeping.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government (a) has provided and (b) plans to provide with preparations for the 2009 elections in Afghanistan. [237241]
Bill Rammell: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan is already playing a key role in preparing for the elections. Through the United Nations Development Programme it is co-ordinating the international community’s efforts to support the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission, which has lead responsibility for conducting voter registration and the elections in 2009 and 2010.
We are working with international partners and the Afghan Government to support upcoming Afghan elections and are determined that they will be a success. We have already contributed £6 million, as an initial contribution, to support voter registration, which began on 6 October 2008 and will finish early February 2009. So far, voter registration is progressing well. We continue to lobby other countries to provide financial support for the elections.
The security situation will present a considerable challenge and we are working closely through the international security assistance force to support Afghan-led security for the electoral process.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 877W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping operations, (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the detailed periodic assessment due to be completed by the end of 2008 when it has been completed; [236133]
(2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the most recent periodic assessment; [236150]
(3) when the formal review mechanism was introduced; and how many detailed periodic assessments have been completed under it. [236151]
Bill Rammell:
The Government’s Afghanistan Strategy was set out by the Prime Minister in December 2007. A formal review mechanism was initiated this year; the first detailed periodic assessment covering the preceding 12 month period will be completed by the end of 2008.
The nature of the material it contains may preclude the full assessment from being made public but the House will be informed of the implications of the assessment.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 878W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping operations, what arrangements have been made to include formal consultations with the Government of Afghanistan within the review of strategy in the region. [236521]
Bill Rammell: The US-led Central Command (CENTCOM) Assessment Team (CAT) will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the CENTCOM area of operations, drawing on US interagency and international partner expertise. The US has invited the UK and other nations to participate. The assessment will include visits by members of the CAT, including UK team members, to Afghanistan for consultation with the Government of Afghanistan and its officials.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many quick impact projects of each type have been (a) appraised, (b) authorised and (c) completed in Helmand Province in each month of the last five years. [237306]
Bill Rammell: Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) began in Helmand in 2006. QIPs provide a visible impact allowing the government of Afghanistan and the Civilian Military Mission in Helmand (CMMH) to deliver on promises to the people of Afghanistan, and create the environment for stabilisation development to follow. The CMMH has a robust system in place to identify, authorise and conduct QIPs. Potential QIPs can be identified by a range of actors such as the Afghan government and local community, through surveys conducted by local or international non-governmental organisations, or by the CMMH.
We do not hold records of QIPs broken down by month. But in financial year 2006-07 there were 128 QIPs projects. In financial year 2007-08 there were 102 QIPs projects. In financial year 2008-09 to date, there have been 38 completed projects and 87 are still underway. Records are not kept of projects considered but not undertaken.
Completed UK QIPs in Helmand include: humanitarian assistance to drought victims, permanent vehicle checkpoints constructed to improve security, uniforms and IDs for the Afghan National Police, the provision of vehicles, infrastructure and training for the Governor's office, the reinforcement of river bank walls and flood defences in Lashkar Gah, and a new 20-bed hostel for midwifery students. QIPS have also started and had a positive impact in Gereshk and Sangin.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his oral answer of 11 November 2008, Official Report, column 627 to the hon. Member for North East Hertfordshire, on Afghanistan, what (a) political, (b) economic and (c) other initiatives following on from military action the Government have engaged upon in Afghanistan. [237122]
Bill Rammell: The international community and the UK's strategy for Afghanistan is to support its Government to deliver security, political, social and economic development. This is in line with the strategy set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the House of Commons on 12 December 2007. We currently have over 150 staff in our embassy in Kabul and over 70 civilian experts in Helmand working alongside our military and inpartnership with the Afghans. More information on UK political initiatives in Afghanistan is given on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/fco-in-action/uk-in-afghanistan/
The UK is the second largest bilateral donor in Afghanistan. Since 2001, the UK has committed £1.65 billion to support reconstruction and development. Our development approach is nationwide and Afghan-led, supporting the Afghan National Development Strategy which was launched at the International Conference in Support of Afghanistan in Paris on 12 June 2008. Programmes focus on building effective state institutions and better governance; improving economic management; and improving livelihoods (particularly in rural areas). More information on development and economic initiatives can be found on the Department for International Development website
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/countries/asia/afghanistan-programme_asp
The UK is working with the Afghans and international partners to help establish democratically controlled Afghan security institutions. In particular we have provided a number of UK training teams to support development of the Afghan National Army (7 Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams currently 1st Battalion The Rifles), supported Non Commissioned Officer training in Kabul, trained Afghan cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, provided two Ministry Of Defence civil servants to work on building the capacity of the Afghan Ministry of Defence; and we are supporting an Officer Candidate School, providing junior officer training in Kabul (based on the Sandhurst model). More information on other initiatives can be found at
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/fco-in-action/uk-in-afghanistan/afghanistan-reconstruction/helmand/
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's arrangements are for receiving visiting VIPs at UK airports; and if he will make a statement. [225600]
David Miliband: On State Visits VIPs are greeted by a representative of Her Majesty The Queen. VIPs coming to the UK on an official visit as a guest of Her Majesty's Government are greeted by a representative of the Foreign Secretary. The Government meet the costs of these visits, including transport and VIP suites.
Arrangements for the many VIPs visiting the UK in other circumstances are handled by the relevant Embassy or High Commission.
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will enter into political dialogue with Al Qaeda; and if he will make a statement. [236469]
Bill Rammell: The UK is willing in principle to support efforts to engage with groups who renounce violence. However, we have no intention of entering into political dialogue with Al Qaida (AQ). They remain actively engaged in extreme violence. Any form of political dialogue would lend completely unwarranted credibility to their claims that they represent in any way the interests of the world's Muslims.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the running cost of the British Embassy in Vienna was in each of the last five years. [239364]
Caroline Flint: The total cost of our embassy in Vienna for each of the last five years have been:
| £ | |
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on alcoholic drinks for receptions at the British embassy in Vienna in each of the last five years. [239365]
Caroline Flint: Our embassy in Vienna does not have records of how much was spent on alcoholic drinks for events before 1 April 2007. The embassy spent £5,760 on alcoholic drinks for events during 2007-08 and £1,750 in the current financial year to 31 October 2008.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the current monetary value of the (a) wine and (b) other alcohol held in storage by the British Embassy in Vienna is. [239366]
Caroline Flint: The current monetary value of the wine and other alcohol held in storage by our embassy in Vienna on 24 November is £3,605 and £499 respectively.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions were held at the British Embassy in Vienna in each of the last five years; and how many of these were organised and funded by (a) trades unions, (b) charities, (c) businesses and (d) other types of organisation; and what income the embassy received from charges for the use of facilities for receptions in each of the last five years. [239367]
Caroline Flint:
673 events (lunches, dinners, teas and receptions) were held at the British embassy in Vienna between 1 January 2003 and 31 October 2008. 71 of these were funded by businesses. None were funded by trade unions, charities or other organisations. The charges received from businesses for the use of facilities for receptions are recovered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in Vienna and by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in London. Neither the FCO nor UKTI hold
consolidated figures that show the total amounts recovered from businesses for their use of facilities for receptions over the past five years.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the British embassy in Vienna spent on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in each of the last five years. [239368]
Caroline Flint: We do not have the figures specifically for our embassy in Vienna. The combined spend of our embassy, the UK Delegation to the OSCE and the UK Mission to the United Nations on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in the last five years was:
| £ | |
| (1) To 31 October 2008 | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1746W—continued
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the British embassy in Vienna spent on stationery in each of the last five years. [239369]
Caroline Flint: Our embassy in Vienna spent the following amounts on stationery in each of the last five years:
| Amount (£) | |
The marked increase in stationery expenditure for 2005-06 was a result of the UK's EU Presidency from July to December 2005.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members of staff at the British embassy in Vienna are employed to work on correspondence; and what the average response time to written correspondence was in the latest period for which figures are available. [239370]
Caroline Flint: No members of staff at our embassy in Vienna are employed to work specifically on correspondence. The appropriate member of staff replies to the correspondence depending on the subject matter. There are no records available for the average response time to written correspondence, but the Foreign and Commonwealth Office expects all correspondence to receive a response within 20 days.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial monitoring the British embassy in Vienna carries out to avoid waste and promote the efficient use of resources. [239371]
Caroline Flint: Effective financial monitoring and efficient use of resources is a high priority at the British embassy in Vienna, as it is in all posts in Europe and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Given the importance of effective financial monitoring, the Head of Mission is accountable at each post for the sign off of expenditure and receipts and the day-to-day management of post budgets being overseen by a management officer. The network of posts in Europe is at the forefront of FCO efficiency programmes with a savings target of £15,000,000 by the end of FY 2010-11. These efficiencies, which are under regular review, will be realised by reprioritising the use of posts' budgets and redeployment of frontline staff.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions were held at the British Embassy in Moscow in each of the last five years. [239373]
Caroline Flint: The number of receptions held at the embassy are:
| Number of receptions | |
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the agreement signed by Italian and Belarusian Government to allow Belarusian orphan children to travel to and from Italy and guarantee their safe return; and if he will make it his policy to enter into an analogous agreement with the Government of Belarus. [236827]
Mr. Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
The Government have received a copy of the agreement between the Italian and Belarusian Governments. Belarus has sought a similar bilateral agreement with the UK. The Government already facilitates the safe travel of Belarusian children to the UK. The UK Border Agency has written to the Belarusian Ambassador offering further discussions in order to maintain those arrangements.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the most recent six monthly report of the EU High Representative on Operation Althea. [237811]
Caroline Flint: We are not able to place a copy of the six-monthly report on Operation Althea by the EU High Representative Javier Solana in the Library. The document is owned by the EU High Representative and is not in the public domain.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the (a) political and (b) security situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and what his policy is on each. [236386]
David Miliband: EU Foreign Ministers discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on 10 November and expressed its deep concern regarding the political situation in the country, including ongoing ethnic nationalist rhetoric from political leaders and actions which challenge the structure of the state. I agree with this assessment.
Following this discussion, I visited Sarajevo, where I relayed the European Union’s concern at the pace of reform and the political climate. I urged Bosnian politicians to focus on making the reforms necessary to allow for transition of the Office of the High Representative and further EU integration. I also met with High Representative/Special Representative Lajcak. The UK Government strongly support his efforts to facilitate reform and uphold the Dayton Peace Agreement.
The security situation in Bosnia remains stable. The UK Government continue to support the work of the EU Peacekeeping Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR) in maintaining this stable security situation. While our concern over the current political situation does not give rise to concern over the security situation, we believe that any decisions on EUFOR draw-down should only be taken once there is clarity on the future of the international presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost has been to the British Council of fraud over the last three years, in relation to its operations in Africa; and if he will make a statement. [230864]
Caroline Flint: Incidents of theft or fraud are rare across the British Council’s global operations. Over the last three years, the British Council’s Africa operations suffered losses from theft, fraud and other misappropriations of approximately £248,000 (out of a total regional income for sub-Saharan Africa of around £124 million). Three individual incidents accounted for £230,000:
An investigation established that, dating back to April 2005, a number of fraudulent transactions had been made by staff and bookkeeping exchange rates has been manipulated. 10 locally appointed staff were dismissed and the Country Director recalled to the UK. The British Council is following due legal process in order to recover the losses in full.
Resulting from the theft of a vehicle stolen at gunpoint from the British Council staff workers. During the incident the driver was shot. The theft was reported to the Chief Security Police Officer at the BDHC, Lagos.
British Council’s internal procedures identified a fraud in country in 2005. The responsible staff member resigned. Procedures were changed to mitigate risk of recurrences.
The remaining eight incidents of fraud total £18,000 over three years, comprising five internal and three external cases. The internal frauds involved the theft of cash. The external frauds comprised two cash thefts and the use of a counterfeit cheque.
As well as implementing lessons learnt from individual cases, the British Council has been introducing a new global finance and business system, which significantly strengthens financial controls and fraud prevention and detection capabilities.
Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the status and safety of Christian communities in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [238748]
Bill Rammell: We condemn the marginalisation or persecution of any community based on their religious beliefs, and remain concerned about reports that the mainly Buddhist Burmese authorities restrict freedom of religion. There are Christians among a variety of ethnic groups in Burma, though their persecution by the authorities appears to be based largely on their ethnicity rather than their faith. The plight of the Karen and Chin Christians is particularly apparent.
We emphasise regularly to the Burmese regime, and to countries in the region, the need for the full and fair participation of ethnic nationalities in the political process as key to a durable solution to Burma's problems. There can be little prospect of national reconciliation without genuine recognition of their political, economic and social rights.
Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken in the United Nations Security Council to prosecute the human rights abuses of the Burmese government. [238710]
Bill Rammell: The UK has consistently supported firm action in all UN bodies on the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Burmese regime. The UN General Assembly Third Committee passed a further Resolution on Burma on 21 November 2008 which strongly condemns the ongoing, systematic violations of civil, political, economic and social rights of the people of Burma. The Human Rights Council passed its strongest ever resolution on Burma, with active UK support, on 18 June 2008.
In the UN Security Council, the UK helped to secure unprecedented action on Burma in the form of a strongly worded Presidential Statement passed unanimously on 11 October 2007. The Security Council called on the Burmese regime to release all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi; start a genuine and inclusive dialogue with the opposition and ethnic groups; give its full co-operation to the UN; and take all necessary steps to meet the political, economic and human rights aspirations of its people. These demands were reaffirmed by a further Presidential Statement in May this year. Work will continue to keep Burma as a focus for discussion in the Security Council.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Burma on the recent decision to sentence 14 political dissidents to 65 years each in prison in that country; and if he will make a statement. [237242]
David Miliband: As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Bill Rammell) said on 11 November, we are deeply concerned by the regime’s decision to sentence members of' ‘1988 Generation’ and other pro-democracy activists to up to 65 years in jail. Reports that many are being sent to remote prisons far from the support of family and friends increases our concern. Those detained did nothing more than call for a better future for Burma’s people. Our ambassador in Burma has made clear to the Burmese Foreign Minister that we consider the harsh sentences imposed to be completely unacceptable, and that all political prisoners must be released in line with Security Council demands. We welcome the strong statements from the EU, US and UN Secretary-General condemning the regime’s actions.
As EU Foreign Ministers underlined on 10 November, only an inclusive political process involving all opposition and ethnic groups will begin to solve Burma’s many problems.
Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the (a) leadership and (b) political objectives of the Burmese government. [238711]
Bill Rammell: The military have held power in Burma since 1962. Under their current guise of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), power is concentrated in the hands of General Than Shwe and a handful of senior generals. In spite of recent internal challenges, such as mass protests last September, the SPDC has retained a firm grip over the country and continues to preside over gross economic mismanagement and systematic human rights abuses.
Following a flawed constitutional referendum in May, the regime appears intent on pressing ahead with elections in 2010 designed to entrench military rule in all but name. The recent sentencing of around one hundred monks and political activists to long prison terms underlines the regime's determination to snuff out dissent in advance of the poll. Unless elections are conducted in an atmosphere free from political repression, with the full participation of all Burma's political and ethnic groups, they will lack all credibility and perpetuate the country's many problems.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial commitment the UK will make to the UK-Chile Scholarship Agreement signed on 14th November 2008; and what estimate he has made of the number of Chilean students who will participate in the next 12 months. [237955]
David Miliband: The Agreement, negotiated by the British Council, will be funded by the Chilean government's "Fondo Bicentenario de Capital Humano" (Bicentennial Fund for the Development of Human Capital), which was announced by the President of Chile earlier this year. It is estimated that, as a result of this Agreement, approximately 300 Chilean postgraduate students will study in the UK in the coming year.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what short-term objectives he has set for progress that can be achieved to improve the position in Tibet. [237783]
Bill Rammell: In his written ministerial statement of 29 October, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear our interest in various aspects of the Tibetan issue. These include the need for respect for Tibetan culture, language and religion. We believe that the talks on Tibet between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama offer the opportunity to make progress in all of these areas, as well as on wider issues of human rights, including the right to freedom of peaceful expression. We are disappointed that to date the dialogue has failed to make progress on any of this, and urge both parties to redouble efforts and engage on the substance of the issues.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months. [237487]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold dedicated accounts for official expenditure of this nature. The required information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
All Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruits to be served by his Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers. [239725]
Gillian Merron: The information requested is not collected.
The Government will shortly be publishing a report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by government departments and also supplied to hospitals and prisons under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain and National Offender Management Service (previously HM Prison Service) between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policv/sustain/procurement/awareness.htm.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1751W—continued
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate has been made of the number of rebel troops involved in the advance upon Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [233068]
David Miliband: The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) puts the total strength of the National Council for the Defence of the People (CNDP) at around 4,000 soldiers. Of these, MONUC estimates that 600-700 are located around the Kibat-Kibumba area of north Kivu. Exact numbers of those involved in the advance are very difficult to obtain.
Mr. Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the possibility of sending an EU force to the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [235685]
David Miliband: The matter was raised during discussion of the situation in the eastern DRC at the GAERC on Monday 10 November. EU Foreign Ministers agreed that it was unlikely that a rapid deployment of forces from the EU or elsewhere could produce a significant increase to the capability that already exists in the region. They agreed that the best way forward was continued support for a political solution under the framework provided by the Nairobi communiqué and the Goma accord and to ensure that the 17,000 strong force in the UN mission to DR Congo are correctly deployed and effectively mandated to provide security in the east of the country.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of Angolan, Zimbabwean and Rwandan troops being drawn into the fighting in Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [237311]
Gillian Merron: We have received no confirmed reports from any source, including the UN, of formed units of Angolan troops operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We note that the UN Peacekeeping Force's (MONUC) official spokesman has denied rumours allegedly from UN officials that there are Angolan troops in eastern DRC. The Angolan ambassador to DRC has also denied that there are Angolan troops present in the country.
There have been allegations of Rwandan forces in North Kivu. But we have seen no evidence to confirm these. During the recent fighting, UN observers reported that shots had been fired across the border between DRC and Rwanda. We understand from MONUC that the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) accidentally fired several mortars into Rwanda after which Rwandan military responded with fire from three T55 tanks. However, this was an isolated incident and did not escalate any further. We continue to work with both Governments of Rwanda and DRC to encourage them to establish full diplomatic relations.
We have no confirmed reports of troops from Zimbabwe operating in DRC.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the recruitment of child soldiers in Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [237313]
Gillian Merron: The recruitment and conscription of children as fighters in contravention of international humanitarian law by many of the armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), is of serious concern. The UK is providing £17 million to the Multi-Country Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme, a significant proportion of which is spent on special projects for children associated with armed groups. We also gave £3 million to the 2007 International Committee of the Red Cross appeal for the DRC, which includes programmes for protection and reintegration of children.
During an open debate on Children and Armed Conflict at the UN in February, the UK called for further efforts to be made by the Government of the DRC to stop the use of child soldiers. We also raised concerns about children affected by armed conflict in the DRC in a subsequent debate at the UN in July and in the Human Rights Council in September.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the Amani programme for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what discussions he has had with the co-ordinator. [233062]
David Miliband: Despite the current blockage, there has been some progress in the Amani programme since its inception in January 2008. The mixed technical committee on peace and security has been established. With our partners we have been pressing the co-ordinator for the Amani process to appoint a special advisor on human rights.
Our embassy in Kinshasa has had regular contact with Malu Malu, national co-ordinator for the Amani programme, both in Kinshasa and in Goma as part of the international facilitation effort. Our ambassador in Kinshasa has also been accepted as a member of the steering committee, overseeing the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo peace processes.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions troops of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reporting coming under direct attack during the current crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what assessment has been made of responsibility for those attacks. [233065]
David Miliband:
The situation on the ground in North Kivu remains volatile. We expect the UN to report on all attacks on MONUC fully once the situation has stabilised. The UK condemns all attacks on UN peacekeepers and urges all parties to allow MONUC full and free access to fulfil its mandate. We commend
the commitment of UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who are serving in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the time needed to mobilise additional African Union troops to support MONUC in Democratic Republic of Congo. [237312]
Gillian Merron: There is currently no proposal under consideration at the African Union (AU) to deploy peacekeeping forces to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Based on past precedent, the time needed for an AU military deployment would depend on various factors, including AU political agreement to deploy a mission; finding willing troop contributing countries; raising funds to finance a mission; and the logistics of moving troops to theatre.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238931]
Gillian Merron: The average number of days sick leave taken by staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in each of the last five years is set out in the following table:
| Days | |
Sickness absence figures for staff at Wilton Park, an Executive Agency of the CO, and at FCO Services, which became a Trading Fund on 1 April 2008, are included in the FCO total.
Records for staff sickness absence prior to 2003, and sickness absence records of non-departmental bodies are not available.
Information is not held centrally for staff absences for reasons other than sickness and annual leave. Such absences are monitored locally by line-managers.
The FCO does not have fixed departmental targets for absence and sickness absence.
The FCO has effective policies for monitoring sickness absence, issuing warnings and reducing or withdrawing pay at certain trigger points for long absentees.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost to his Department of provision of office facilities to (a) special advisers and (b) press officers (i) was in the last 12 months and (ii) has been since 1997-98. [233192]
Gillian Merron: The Press Office and special adviser's offices are all located in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) main building on King Charles Street (KCS). The FCO holds the freehold to this property and pays a capital and depreciation charge based on the value of the asset.
Since June 2007, special adviser's offices have taken up 63.73m(2) of the KCS building. Before June 2007 special adviser's officers took up 91.76m(2). The capital and depreciation costs of this are as follows (per financial year):
| Amount (£) | |
The Press Office occupies 346.73m(2). The capital and depreciation costs of this are as follows:
| Amount (£) | |
Other costs associated with office facilities are not itemised. Producing figures for an individual office or section would incur a disproportionate cost.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether food and drink on sale to staff of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds. [237417]
Gillian Merron: Food and drink on sale to staff of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and FCO Services in the UK, via its contract caterers, is currently subsidised from public funds. On the commencement of a new contact, from 1 December 2008, food and drink on sale to staff will no longer be subsidised.
Wilton Park, and executive agency of the FCO, currently subsidises food and drink on sale to its staff.
Information relating to catering contracts overseas is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239100]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has had two executive agencies, Wilton Park and FCO Services, during this period.
The number of UK civil servants employed by Wilton Park is:
| Number | |
The number of UK civil servants employed by FCO Services is:
| Number | |
We do not hold records centrally of staff numbers before 1 April 2004. Nor do we hold records of staffing for the FCO's non-departmental public bodies. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of employees in his Department (a) are on a flexible working contract, (b) are on a job share employment contract and (c) work from home for more than four hours per week. [233829]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is committed to helping its staff maintain a work/life balance. All FCO staff can ask to work flexibly. We encourage managers to respond sympathetically and creatively to such requests.
Data are not held centrally on the numbers of staff who do work flexibly as this is a matter for arrangement between individuals and their line manager.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239066]
Gillian Merron: Responsibility for procuring external consultants has been devolved to individual directorates, Departments and overseas posts within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with the provision of central advice and guidance. Each directorate, Department and post would need to be contacted to obtain these details. This would incur a disproportionate cost.
The FCO provides an annual expenditure figure on external consultants which is published in the Department's annual report. Copies of this are available in the Library of the House.
In order to provide information on this category in the future, the FCO's Corporate Procurement Group has been tasked with creating a central database that will contain complete information about consultants employed across the FCO. We expect the database to be fully functional within the next three months. We are
working closely with the Office of Government Commerce in to align our strategy on the future procurement of consultants with their Consultancy Value Programme.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1757W—continued
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employees in his Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238962]
Gillian Merron: The following table sets out the number of UK civil servants employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) who have left on early retirement or severance terms and the total cost to the Department.
| Number of employees | Total cost to FCO (£) | |
All payments to staff leaving on early exit schemes have been calculated and paid in strict accordance with the terms of the standard Civil Service Compensation Schemes. The total costs listed above include compensation payments, early payment of pension sums, some of which would have been payable to these staff whenever they retired, and administrative costs.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department have received gifts valued at £100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received in each case. [239633]
Gillian Merron: The recording of gifts is devolved to individual Foreign and Commonwealth Office departments and overseas posts and provision of this information would incur disproportionate cost.
Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) memory sticks, (b) laptop computers, (c) desktop computers, (d) hard drives and (e) mobile telephones were (i) lost by and (ii) stolen from his Department in each year since 1997. [234087]
Gillian Merron: This information is not held centrally in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). To collate the information from the FCO in UK and our missions across the world would incur disproportionate cost.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much surplus land (a) his Department and (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is. [236428]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its agencies have no surplus sites in the UK.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) Hebrew, (b) Arabic, (c) Mandarin, (d) Cantonese, (e) Urdu, (f) Farsi and (g) Dari speakers are employed by his Department. [239563]
Gillian Merron: I will write to the right hon. Member separately and arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year. [239080]
David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently employs two part-time Special Advisors to the Foreign Secretary.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister publishes on an annual basis a list of the numbers and cost of Special Advisors. Information for 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008, Official Report, columns 99-101WS.
The number of London based press officers employed by Foreign and Commonwealth Office and their associated costs are shown in the following table. Total costs include the administration costs of the press office and the cost of staff, which includes basic pay, National Insurance, superannuation and the London Location Allowance. Only figures for complete financial years can be provided.
| Number of press officers | Total Cost (£) | |
| (1) 23 plus one job share. (2) 26 full-time plus one part-time. | ||
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08. [237475]
Gillian Merron: During the 2007-8 financial year, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) had no staff specifically employed on branding activity, although some parts of the FCO (for example, Consular Directorate) undertake some in-house branding activity as part of their promotional campaigns. The FCO now employs one person temporarily to advise on branding activities. This consultancy work has cost £40,000 so far and was procured through the Central Office of Information under normal government procurement rules.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years. [237316]
David Miliband: Between November 2005 and July 2006 one full-time civil servant worked in support of Special Advisers to the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Between July 2006 and June 2007, two full-time civil servants were employed to assist Special Advisers. Since June 2007 there has been one full-time civil servant assisting Special Advisers.
These civil servants have provided administrative support of a non-political nature in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. Individual civil servants’ salary details are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individual concerned.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding has been agreed with each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies for the period 2008 to 2011. [228656]
Gillian Merron: The remit of each of the non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) sponsored by the Department can be found at the following link:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/what-we-do/building-strong-relationships-ol/stakeholder-groups/non-dept-public-bodies
| NDPB | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
| (1) Not finalised. | |||
The Advisory/Tribunal NDPBs sponsored by the Department incur little or no expenditure and are resourced from within the Department. As a result, information on budgets for 2008-11 is not available.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; and what budget each has been set for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [236923]
Gillian Merron: The remit of each of the non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) sponsored by the Department can be found at the following link:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/what-we-do/building-strong-relationships-ol/stakeholder-groups/non-dept-pubric-bodies
The budget of our Executive NDPBs are:
| £ | |||
| NDPB | FY 2008-09 | FY 2009-10 | FY 2010-11 |
| (1) Not finalised | |||
The advisory/tribunal NDPBs sponsored by the Department incur little or no expenditure and are resourced from within the Department. As a result, information on budgets for 2008-11 is not available.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239668]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) uses non-consolidated, non-pensionable bonuses to encourage high performance. Annual bonuses are paid to staff in the delegated grades (all except senior managers) based on appraisal evidence of annual performance. The highest rating and bonus award is given only where performance has significantly exceeded challenging objectives and may have radically transformed delivery of policy and/or services.
The value of bonuses paid for performance in 2007-08, by grade and appraisal marking, were:
| £ | |||
| Grade | Exceptional | Effective (1) | Effective (2) |
A small additional bonus fund allows managers to reward staff in the delegated grades for exceptional contributions in year beyond their normal responsibilities. The average award from this fund is £350.
Variable pay (bonus) arrangements for staff in the senior management structure/senior civil service (SMS/SCS) of the FCO follow a framework set centrally for Whitehall Departments by the Cabinet Office. We use variable pay for SMS/SCS staff to reward excellent individual performance and achievement during the year. Variable pay decisions are based on a judgement by pay committees of what an individual has achieved in comparison with peers. Those who have delivered the best results, and shown real leadership in doing so, receive the biggest bonuses. Those who have delivered least receive nothing. 28 per cent. of eligible staff received no bonus this year.
Departments were authorised to spend a sum equivalent to 8.6 per cent. of their SCS pay budget on bonuses to reward performance in 2007-08. The FCO made bonus payments to SMS/SCS staff ranging from £5,000 to £17,000.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1760W—continued
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department uses Royal Mail as the primary company for sending its post, parcels and packages. [238326]
Gillian Merron: In each of the last three years, the postal service provider that carried the most letters and parcels for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK was the Royal Mail.
Letters and parcels for overseas posts are delivered through the diplomatic bag service.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238983]
Gillian Merron: The number of press releases issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Press Office in London in each year for which data are available is:
| Press releases | |
These figures do not include press releases issued by our posts overseas. That information is not held centrally and would be available only at a disproportionate cost.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239641]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold information on aborted tenders centrally. As budgets are devolved to each individual FCO Department and Mission overseas, the information requested could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2008, Official Report, column 1407W, on departmental reorganisation, what the projected net operating costs in support of his Department's four strategic priorities are for (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2009-10. [237740]
David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) eight departmental strategic objectives were only adopted for the present comprehensive spending review period. The net operating costs for the FCO's 10 SR04 strategic priorities in 2007-08 were published in the ‘Consolidated Statements of Operating Costs by Aim and Objectives (Strategic Priorities)’ schedule to the 2007-08 Resource Accounts (HC 614), which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
The nature of the FCO business means that funding is allocated geographically rather than by departmental strategic objectives. Therefore it is not possible to provide a full answer on the basis requested. Nevertheless the following strategic programme funding has been agreed for 2008-09 and 2009-10.
| £ million | ||
| Strategic programme funding | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's staff were made redundant as a result of the closure of his Department's language school. [225596]
David Miliband: There were 94 language teaching staff working in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) language centre, of which 47 were contract staff not directly employed by the FCO. Four were made compulsorily redundant because they were not British citizens at the time the language school closed and received compulsory early severance/retirement (depending on age).
Ninety were offered redeployment. Of these, 70 chose not to apply for redeployment and agreed to take a severance package. Twenty were redeployed in a generalist capacity. Following a trial period, 10 of these took the severance package; 10 remain in the FCO.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Questions for written answer were tabled to his Department in Session (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04, (c) 2004-05, (d) 2005-06, (e) 2006-07 and (f) 2007-08 to date; and how many were (i) answered substantively and (ii) not answered on grounds of disproportionate cost. [235394]
Gillian Merron: Figures for earlier sessions, and for those numbers of questions not answered substantively or not answered on the grounds of disproportionate cost, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Davey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has sought legal advice as to whether the use of Diego Garcia by
the US for rendition flights in 2002 contravened the terms of the Exchanges of Notes that govern the United States' usage of the island. [228464]
David Miliband: FCO legal advisers advised on this issue after we were informed by the US of the 2002 flights in February 2008. We consider that the US Government should have sought permission from the UK before undertaking rendition operations through Diego Garcia.
Secretary Rice has subsequently underlined the firm US understanding that there will be no rendition through the UK, UK airspace or overseas territories without express British Government permission. The US have also stated that, should there be any doubt as to whether an operation falls outside the Exchange of Notes that govern the use of Diego Garcia, then the US Government would consult the UK Government.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made a written ministerial statement on rendition through Diego Garcia on 3 July 2008, Official Report, column 58WS.
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK diplomats in overseas posts have been (a) expelled from a host country and (b) recalled following representations from the host country in each of the last five years; and what the reason for the action was in each case. [237585]
Gillian Merron: Four UK diplomats based at our Embassy in Moscow were expelled by the Russian authorities in July 2007. In announcing this decision on 18 July 2007, the Russian Foreign Ministry made it clear that this step was taken in retaliation for the Government's decision to expel four Russian diplomats from the Russian Embassy in London earlier the same week. No other UK diplomats in overseas posts have been expelled from a host country in the past five years.
No UK diplomats have been recalled following representations from the host country in the past five years.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2008, Official Report, columns 192-3W, on diplomatic service: education, if he will bring forward proposals to make the membership of the three selection boards which appoint ambassadors and high commissioners more reflective of the UK population as a whole in their educational background. [238496]
Gillian Merron: Appointments at all levels of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), including for positions represented on the board making the most senior appointments, are made on the basis of merit. Candidates’ educational background is not taken into account. More broadly, the FCO aspires to represent modern Britain. A range of outreach activities aimed at broadening the diversity of our work force in terms of social, ethnic and educational background are an important part of this process.
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking in response to the publication of the draft European Framework Convention on Promoting Tolerance and Combating Intolerance on 10 November 2008. [236256]
Mr. Khan: The Government have noted the document produced by the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation (ECTR) to which the Hon member refers. The Council of Europe already has a range of mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness of member states in tackling racism, discrimination and intolerance, including anti-Semitism. These include the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
Mr. Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the comments made by the President of the European Council at the EU-Russia Summit in Nice on the contribution to European security of the development of a missile defence system in Europe; what his policy is on the proposal by the President of the European Council for a meeting on European security in 2009; and if he will make a statement. [238305]
Caroline Flint: The UK supports US plans to expand Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) assets in Europe to provide defensive coverage against the potential threat from ballistic missiles. The planned BMD system is not intended for, or capable of, countering Russian strategic nuclear forces. It is designed to counter limited ballistic missile threats from a small number of states of concern.
The UK is always open to discussions on how we can continue to enhance European security. In the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), NATO and the EU we have tried and tested mechanisms that are delivering security in Europe. We must not undermine them. The UK is interested in President Sarkozy's suggestion of convening an OSCE summit to discuss European security, when the conditions are right. It is important that all transatlantic partners take part in any such talks and that they also take into account our broader common values: democracy, human rights and rule of law, as well as our existing commitments.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the current estimated value is of the (a) wine and (b) other alcoholic drinks held in storage by the British Embassy in (i) Paris, (ii) Berlin, (iii) Madrid, (iv) Brussels, (v) Rome and (vi) Dublin. [238676]
Caroline Flint: The value of wine and other alcoholic drinks held in storage at our embassies in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Brussels, Rome and Dublin are not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the running costs of the British Embassy in (a) Paris, (b) Berlin, (c) Madrid, (d) Brussels, (e) Rome and (f) Dublin were in each of the last five years. [238677]
Caroline Flint: The total cost of the British embassy in Paris for each of the last five years has been:
| £ | |
The total cost of the British embassy in Berlin for each of the last five years has been:
| £ | |
The total cost of the British embassy in Madrid for each of the last five years has been:
| £ | |
The total cost of the British embassy in Brussels for each of the last five years has been:
| £ | |
| (1) The cost of the British embassy is not separately identifiable from the cost of other UK missions in Brussels. | |
The total cost of the British embassy in Rome for each of the last five years has been:
| £ | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1765W—continued
The total cost of the British embassy in Dublin for each of the last five years has been:
| £ | |
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions were held at the British Embassy in (a) Paris, (b) Berlin, (c) Madrid, (d) Brussels, (e) Rome and (f) Dublin in each of the last five years; and how much was spent on alcoholic drinks for such receptions in each of those years. [238678]
Caroline Flint: The number of receptions held at our embassies in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Brussels, Rome and Dublin in each of the last five years, and the amount that was spent on alcoholic drinks for such receptions in each of those years, is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions held at the British embassy in (a) Paris, (b) Berlin, (c) Madrid, (d) Brussels, (e) Rome and (f) Dublin in each of the last five years were organised and funded by (i) trade unions, (ii) charities, (iii) businesses and (iv) other types of organisations; and what income each embassy received from charges for the use of facilities for such receptions in each of those years. [238679]
Caroline Flint: The number of receptions held at our embassies in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Brussels, Rome and Dublin in each of the last five years that were organised and funded by trade unions, charities, businesses and other types of organisations, and the income each embassy received from charges for the use of facilities for these receptions in each of those years, is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by the British Embassy in (a) Paris, (b) Berlin, (c) Madrid, (d) Brussels, (e) Rome and (f) Dublin on (i) newspapers, magazines and periodicals and (ii) stationery in each of the last five years. [238680]
Caroline Flint: The amount that was spent on newspapers, magazines and periodicals at our embassies in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Brussels, Rome and Dublin in each of the last five years is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members of staff are employed at the British Embassy in (a) Paris, (b) Berlin, (c) Madrid, (d) Brussels, (e) Rome and (f) Dublin to work on correspondence; and what the average response time to written correspondence was in the latest period for which figures are available. [238681]
Caroline Flint:
The number of staff employed at our embassies in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Brussels, Rome and Dublin to work on correspondence, and the average
response time to written correspondence is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial monitoring is carried out at the British Embassy in (a) Paris, (b) Berlin, (c) Madrid, (d) Brussels, (e) Rome and (f) Dublin to avoid waste and promote efficient use of resources. [238682]
Caroline Flint: Effective financial monitoring and efficient use of resources is a high priority in our embassies in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Brussels, Rome and Dublin, as it is in all posts in Europe and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Given the importance of effective financial monitoring the Head of Mission is accountable at each post for the sign off of expenditure and receipts and the day-to-day management of post budgets being overseen by a management officer. The network of posts in Europe is at the forefront of FCO efficiency programmes with a savings target of £15,000,000 by the end of FY 2010-11. These efficiencies, which are under regular review, will be realised by reprioritising the use of posts budgets and redeployment of frontline staff.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the British Embassy in (a) Tel Aviv and (b) Moscow takes to avoid unnecessary waste and promote efficient use of resources; and how his Department monitors the effectiveness of such steps. [239619]
Bill Rammell: Budgets are allocated to posts after rigorous scrutiny in the resource allocation round. The ambassadors in Tel Aviv and Moscow are responsible for ensuring the proper use of these funds and for reporting to their geographical Director and Director Finance in London. There is also a robust monthly monitoring process for all posts, with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Board monitoring overall expenditure each month.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 17th November 2008, Official Report, column 196W, on embassies: foreign workers, what additional positions in UK overseas posts have been identified for localisation in the financial years (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09, broken down by (i) country, (ii) mission, (iii) title of position and (iv) payband. [238229]
David Miliband: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to question 238243 on 26 November 2008.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 196W, on embassies: foreign workers, which posts have been localised since January 2007, broken down by (a) country, (b) mission, (c) title of position and (d) pay band. [238243]
David Miliband: A detailed breakdown of jobs localised since January 2007 by country, mission, title of position and pay band is as follows:
| Country | Post | Job title | Grade/pay band |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1772W—continued
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether British officials have (a) met and (b) interviewed persons who in 2007 were rendered to Ethiopia for the purposes of interrogation; and if he will make a statement. [232518]
Bill Rammell: British officials spoke to a number of individuals in Ethiopian detention during this period; we are not aware that their detention was unlawful.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the budget for the Government Hospitality section of FCO Services (a) was in each of the last five financial years and (b) will be in financial years (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10. [225598]
David Miliband: Government Hospitality section has been part of Protocol Directorate, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, since July 2007. The Government Hospitality budget for each of the last five financial years has totalled £1.8million. This sum covers the expenditure of Government Hospitality section and the costs of Guest of Government visits to the United Kingdom. The budget for the next two financial years is expected to remain the same.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Israel on the impact of the closure of Gaza upon the humanitarian situation there; and if he will make a statement. [237269]
David Miliband:
We have serious concerns about the Israeli restrictions on Gaza and the impact they have on the lives of Gazans. It is vital that both sides seek to reinforce the ceasefire: Hamas by engaging with President Abbas and moving to non-violence and the Quartet Principles; Israel by easing restrictions on life in Gaza. The recent tightening of these restrictions on humanitarian access—as highlighted by the UN Secretary-General—is of mounting concern and while I welcome the re-opening
of the Kerem Shalom crossing on 24 November, I support his call for Israel to permit the sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Gaza.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the BBC World Service’s policy is on broadcasting to Georgia; and if he will make a statement. [238251]
David Miliband: BBC World Service programming is available to audiences in Georgia on several platforms in Russian and English. The BBC’s Russian service is available on short wave, and there is some limited rebroadcasting of its programmes via local FM partners. Programmes are also available online through the live stream on bbcrussian.com. The BBC has two correspondents in Georgia, one of whom reports in Russian, and an office with studio facilities in Tblisi.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2008, Official Report, columns 213-14W, on Georgia: South Ossetia, from which Human Rights Watch report his estimate of the number of Ossetians killed in the conflict was drawn; and what consideration he gave to providing figures compiled by Human Rights Watch estimating the number of Georgians killed. [231652]
Caroline Flint: The Human Rights Watch estimate given in the answer of 21 October was taken from the International Crisis Report No. 195 dated 22 August 2008 entitled “Russia vs. Georgia: The Fallout”.
We have been unable to obtain any figures compiled by Human Rights Watch estimating the total number of Georgian nationals killed. Rachel Denber, Acting Director of Human Rights Watch Europe and Central Asia Division in her letter of 10 October to President Mikheil Saakashvili emphasized that Human Rights Watch
“do not have the capacity to make a definitive determination of civilian casualties”.
“this is an area that clearly requires extensive research, as new information could reasonably come to light about deaths not reported previously, people who were assumed dead but were in fact missing and resurface, people who were inadvertently counted twice, and people who die from wounds inflicted during the conflict.”
However, the International Crisis Group website has quoted Human Rights Watch as having documented 419 killed in the conflict, mostly South Ossetia militia.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has submitted proposals to the European Commission in respect of (a) European Union financial help for Iceland, (b) support for the Icelandic króna and (c) compensation for EU customers of failed Icelandic banks. [233628]
Caroline Flint: Iceland is a member of the EEA and enjoys free trade with the European Union. It is not a full member of the European Union. The economic and financial situation was on the agenda of the last European Council. The Council expressed its resolve to act in a converted and comprehensive manner to protect the European financial system and depositors; solidarity with the efforts made by Iceland; and its expectation that Iceland would honour its international commitments. I am pleased that the IMF loan agreement for Iceland has been approved. We are continuing to work hard along with the Treasury to resolve the current situation and aim to ensure fair treatment for UK depositors and creditors.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken at EU level to assist Iceland; what support the EU has provided to date; and if he will make a statement. [233762]
Caroline Flint: Iceland is a member of the EEA and enjoys free trade with the European Union. It is not a full member of the European Union. The economic and financial situation was on the agenda of the last European Council. The Council expresses its resolve to act in a converted and comprehensive manner to protect the European financial system and depositors; solidarity with the efforts made by Iceland; and its expectation that Iceland would honour its international commitments. I am pleased that the IMF loan agreement for Iceland has been approved. We continue to work hard along with the Treasury to resolve the current situation and aim to ensure fair treatment for UK depositors and creditors.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of relations between the UK and Iceland; and what steps he is taking to improve relations. [233763]
Caroline Flint: Iceland is a European and NATO ally and bilateral relations with the UK are strong. Recent events have inevitably affected the relationship. We are working together to resolve matters in order to move forward as soon as possible.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland visited Reykjavik on 3 November and met the Prime Minister and Acting Foreign Minister. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the Icelandic Foreign Minister most recently on 14 November. I met the Icelandic ambassador to London on 27 October. Official level discussions on various aspects of the bilateral relationship are continuing.
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received an offer from the government of Norway to mediate between the United Kingdom and Iceland in discussions regarding the Icelandic banking crisis. [236103]
Caroline Flint: On 3 November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland held a short discussion with the visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store, at the latter’s request. The Norwegian Foreign Minister offered the UK assistance in discussions regarding the Icelandic banking crisis and communication lines have remained open at all levels. The situation has now moved on and the offer has been overtaken.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the incoming US administration on the situation of the Chagos Islanders from the British Indian Ocean Territory with a view to seeking a resolution to the situation to the satisfaction of the Chagosian people. [235816]
Gillian Merron: On 22 October, the House of Lords upheld the validity of the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004. As a consequence of this ruling, the Orders of the Court of Appeal in May 2007 and of the Divisional Court in June 2006 in this regard are set aside. The two Orders in Council for the British Indian Ocean Territory therefore stand and provide that no person has a right of abode in BIOT or the right to enter the Territory unless authorised.
As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear following the judgment, given the Government's continuing need to take into account the issues of defence security of the whole of the Chagos archipelago in order to meet our Treaty obligations to the US and to serve our mutual defence interests and the fact that an independent study came down heavily against the feasibility of lasting resettlement of the outer islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Government’s policy will remain that no person has a right of abode in BIOT or the right to enter the Territory unless authorised.
The US authorities have in the past made clear their concerns about the possible restoration of a settled civilian population in the British Indian Ocean Territory and welcomed the judgment of the Law Lords. They have stressed the importance they attach, as we do, to our treaty obligations. The Government therefore have no plans to raise this issue with the new US Administration.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office arranged and funded a visit for a small group of Chagossians now resident in Crawley to visit Diego Garcia and the outer islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory from 15 to 22 November. As with other similar visits, this is being carried out in full consultation with, and the co-operation of the US.
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Indian government on the human rights of the Dalit peoples in India. [237914]
Bill Rammell:
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had any recent discussions with the Indian Government on the human rights of the Dalits in India. However, my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN (Lord Malloch-Brown) discussed Dalit issues with representatives of the International
Dalit Solidarity Network on 22 October. Officials at our high commission in Delhi also have regular discussions on minority rights (including Dalit rights) with the Government of India at central and state levels. They have held discussions with the Indian National Commission for Minorities and with various state level authorities, drawing their attention to British parliamentary and public concerns.
The last round of the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue took place in New Delhi on 15 February. During the meeting, the EU presidency and Ministry of External Affairs officials discussed issues including minority rights, with specific reference to caste issues. It is that hoped the next EU-India Human Rights Dialogue will take place before the end of the year. We have asked for minority rights to be included on the agenda.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what decisions were made at the 13 November 2008 meeting of the political directors of the United States, France, Great Britain, China and Russia on (a) sanctions and (b) negotiations with Iran; and if he will make a statement. [237912]
David Miliband: The political directors from the E3+3(UK, France, Germany, US, China and Russia) and a representative for the EU High Representative met in Paris on 13 November to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue. This meeting followed UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1835 on 27 September which reaffirmed the importance of the dual-track approach. The meeting allowed the participants to review the current situation and to discuss both tracks. We have made clear to Iran that our offer of dialogue the demands of successive UNSCRs we will pursue further sanctions, in line with the dual-track policy.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department made of the (a) amount and (b) value of refined petroleum products sold to Iran by companies registered in the UK or with headquarters on UK territory in the three most recent financial years for which figures are available. [237913]
Mr. Thomas: I have been asked to reply.
Trade statistics are usually published on a calendar year basis. Data is not collected for the foreign activities of UK companies. HM Revenue and Customs “Overseas Trade Statistics” give the following figures for exports from the United Kingdom to Iran of refined petroleum products.
| UK exports to Iran (SITC 334) | ||
| Tonnes | Value (£) | |
Mr. Hague:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions since January 2007 the Government has received notification that the Central Bank of Iran and Iranian
commercial banks have requested that their names be removed from financial transactions which involved UK financial institutions; and if he will make a statement. [237451]
Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
Discussions with international partners have repeatedly highlighted the risk of deceptive practices by Iran in support of proliferation sensitive nuclear activities, including stripping Iranian names from transactions to hide Iran’s involvement. The UK Government are aware of this threat and shares these concerns. It would not be appropriate to comment on individual notifications.
EU Regulation 1110/2008, concerning restrictive measures against Iran, which took effect throughout the EU this month applies a series of financial vigilance measures to all transactions involving Iranian financial institutions. These measures will guard against deceptive practices—including that of stripping Iranian names from transactions.
In addition, the EC Regulation onWire Transfers (1781/2006) assists in accurately identifying the sources of such transfers by requiring that transfers of funds sent or received by a payment service provider in the EC shall be accompanied by complete information on the payer-name, address (or other identifier) and account number (or unique identifier allowing the payment to be traced back to the payer).
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy was on the inclusion of Iran on the agenda of the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting of 10 to 11 November 2008; whether any discussion of Iran took place at that meeting; and when he expects EU foreign ministers to meet to discuss Iran. [236382]
David Miliband: Iran was not formally discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting of 10 and 11 November, though Iran is regularly discussed in the margins. However, we welcomed Council Regulation (EC) No. 1110/2008 of 10 November 2008, which was agreed at the GAERC, implementing UN sanctions resolution 1803 on Iran. The next meeting of the GAERC is scheduled for 8 December though the agenda for that meeting has yet to be finalised. Going forward we will be looking to the EU to enhance measures already in place against Iran and will aim to build further consensus for coordinated measures in support of the UN as required by the Council Conclusions of 14 December 2007.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of Iranian engineers who have received training in nuclear sciences in Russia; and what assessment he has made of the Russian Federation’s compliance with the requirement in UN Security Council Resolution 1737 on the prevention of specialised teaching or training of Iranian nationals in sensitive nuclear disciplines. [236383]
David Miliband: UN Security Council Resolution 1737 (2006) prohibits the transfer of materials, equipment, goods and technology to Iran if they would contribute to enrichment-related, or reprocessing, or heavy water-related activities, or to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. But the Resolution provides an exemption for the supply of equipment for light water reactors and for the technical support or training relating to such a reactor. Since passage of the Resolution, we understand that a substantial number of Iranians have been trained in Russia in preparation for working at the Bushehr Light Water Reactor, but we are unable to confirm a precise number.
The UN Sanctions Committee established by UNSCR 1737 oversees member states’ implementation of the measures adopted. While we too continue to monitor implementation, the Committee’s reports have not cited any breaches by the Russian Federation of UN sanctions against Iran.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1778W—continued
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on EU sanctions on Iran's (a) oil and gas and (b) financial sector; and when he expects new EU sanctions to be adopted. [236384]
David Miliband: The UK led pressure for a new EU Common Position and Regulation to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1803. The Regulation was adopted on 10 November 2008 and the provisions for increased vigilance over the activities of Iranian financial institutions are now being implemented. HMT have issued guidance on their website:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/fin_sanc_iran_notice_111108.pdf.
The UK is continuing to press for additional individuals and entities to be subjected to an EU assets freeze. Following United Nations Security Council Resolution 1835 the UK is also discussing a range of possible EU measures which would go beyond the scope of Security Council resolutions should Iran continue to fail to implement its international obligations. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has signalled, this could include a ban on investment in Iranian liquefied natural gas.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many locally engaged Iraqi staff employed by his Department since March 2003 concluded their period of employment on or before 31 December 2004. [239427]
Bill Rammell: In total, there were four Iraqi staff employed locally by the British embassy in Baghdad and the consulate general in Basra who come into this category in the year 2004. This figure does not include any staff who may have been dismissed for misconduct, employed on short-term contracts, or who did not have Letters of Appointment from the respective Mission.
The figures are not available for 2003 because the files have been destroyed.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many locally engaged Iraqi staff employed by his Department on or after 1 January 2005 concluded their period of employment within 12 months of the beginning of their contract. [239428]
Bill Rammell: 13 Iraqi staff employed locally by the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate general in Basra concluded their period of employment within 12 months of beginning work in this period. This figure does not include any staff who may have been dismissed for misconduct, employed on short-term contracts, or who did not have Letters of Appointment from the respective Mission.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv are employed to work on correspondence; and what the average response time to written correspondence was in the latest period for which figures are available. [239248]
Bill Rammell: There are two staff members at our embassy in Tel Aviv who are employed to work principally on correspondence. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to ensuring that both in London and overseas it responds to all public correspondence inquiries within 20 working days.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by the British Embassy in Tel Aviv on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in each of the last five years. [239249]
Bill Rammell: Detailed figures prior to May 2006 are not available.
Between 1 May 2006 to 24 November 2008, £30,000 was spent on newspapers, magazines and periodicals.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions held at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv were organised and funded by (a) trades unions, (b) charities, (c) businesses and (d) other types of organisation in each of the last five years; and what income the Embassy received from charges for the use of facilities for receptions in each such year. [239250]
Bill Rammell: No receptions are held at the embassy in Tel Aviv and we do not let the premises to third parties.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on alcoholic drinks for receptions at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv in each of the last five years. [239252]
Bill Rammell: The total spent on alcoholic drinks at the residence in Tel Aviv is as follows:
| Total spent on alcoholic drinks (£) | |
This includes spirits and wines, but excludes beer which is budgeted together with soft drinks. It also excludes the annual Queen's birthday party as this is funded separately.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions were held at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv in each of the last five years. [239253]
Bill Rammell: Our records show that the British embassy in Tel Aviv has held the following receptions:
| Breakfast | Lunch | Tea | Dinner | Buffet | Reception | |
| (1) Including receptions already held and those projected until the end of the year. | ||||||
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost to the public purse of the British Embassy in Tel Aviv was in each of the last five years. [239254]
Bill Rammell: The cost of operating the British embassy in Tel Aviv for each of the last five years is:
| £ million | |
Mr. Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli government on its nuclear weapons. [235986]
Bill Rammell: The UK has consistently urged Israel to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapon state, and to sign a full-scope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with EU counterparts on the possible accession of Kosovo to the EU. [235170]
Caroline Flint: The European Council of 19-20 June recalled the European Union's
“willingness to assist the economic and political development of Kosovo though a clear European perspective, in line with the European perspective of the region”.
In the Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2008-09 of 21 October, the European Commission states it
“will examine how best Kosovo can take its part in the progress of the region towards integration with the EU in the context of the Stabilisation and Association Process. The outcome of this analysis will be presented in a feasibility study in the autumn of 2009.”
The government welcome this step.
As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in his address to the Kosovo Assembly on 5 November, the United Kingdom looks forward to the day when Kosovo assumes its place at the European table.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what progress has been made on the transition between UNMIK and the European Union’s EULEX mission in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement; [236388]
(2) what progress has been made towards achieving full operational capacity for the European Union’s EULEX mission in Kosovo; [236389]
(3) how many EULEX personnel are presently deployed in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [238248]
David Miliband: The process of the reconfiguration of the international presence in Kosovo is under way. A technical arrangement was signed between the EU mission planning team (EUPT) and United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in August allowing for the handover of UNMIK assets to EULEX, such as vehicles and accommodation. Arrangements are also in place for the handover of case files to EULEX staff, including the police and justice components.
EULEX is in the process of deploying in Kosovo and now has about 1,000 staff (of the projected total of 2,200) on the ground. EULEX’s Head of Mission, General Yves de Kermabon, aims to achieve Initial Operational Capability, the point at which EULEX takes on responsibility for the full range of its mandate, including the executive functions, on 2 December. EULEX will then build up further in order to achieve full operational capability in early 2009.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the UN Secretary General’s recent six-point proposal for Serb majority areas of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [237677]
Caroline Flint: UN-led discussions continue on the “Six Points” outlined by the UN Secretary-General in his 12 June letters to the Presidents of Kosovo and Serbia.
The Six Points address transitional arrangements on six areas (policing, customs, justice, transport and infrastructure, boundaries and cultural heritage) in the context of the reconfiguration of the international presence in Kosovo announced by the UN Secretary-General in
his report of 12 June. HMG welcomed the UN Secretary-General’s reconfiguration proposal and strongly supports efforts to ensure timely and effective transfer of responsibilities from UNMIK to the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo.
We expect the UN Secretary-General to reflect the outcome of these discussions in his forthcoming six-monthly report on the activities of the UN Mission in Kosovo.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the amended United Nations six point plan for deployment of the EULEX mission in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [238244]
David Miliband: The UN Secretary General published his proposals on the “Six Points” in his report to the Security Council of 24 November. The “Six Points” address transitional arrangements on policing, customs, justice, transport and infrastructure, boundaries and cultural heritage in the context of the reconfiguration of the international presence in Kosovo announced by the UN Secretary General in his report of 12 June. At the time of writing, the UN Security Council is expected to discuss, the report on 26 November. The UN Secretary General stated that implementation of these temporary arrangements will be carried out on the basis of continuous co-ordination with the authorities in Pristina. A copy of the report is available in the House of Commons Library.
We welcome the UN Secretary General's reconfiguration of the international presences in Kosovo and strongly support efforts to ensure timely and effective transfer of responsibilities from UNMIK to the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress in the implementation of the Ahtisaari plan for Kosovo. [238245]
David Miliband: I welcome Kosovo's commitment in its Declaration of Independence to implementing Ahtisaari's Comprehensive Settlement Proposal (CSP). Kosovo has made progress towards implementation of the CSP, including the adoption of a package of legislation by the Kosovo Assembly, which establishes the legal framework for implementation.
Entry into force of Kosovo's constitution, which includes provisions to ensure equal rights for all citizens, on 15 June.
Passage of laws to uphold the rights of all Kosovo's communities and to facilitate decentralisation of government.
Designation of Albanian and Serbian as official languages.
At the invitation of the Kosovan government, Pieter Feith was appointed as International Civilian Representative, with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the Comprehensive Settlement Proposal. Mr. Feith is also the EU Special Representative in Kosovo.
NATO continues to provide an international security presence in Kosovo. It is also active in the field of security sector reform and has been assisting with plans to demobilise the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) and stand up the Kosovo Security Force, which will replace it.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1782W—continued
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has (a) received from and (b) made to the Government of Kosovo on implementation of the deployment of the EULEX mission in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [238247]
David Miliband: I discussed deployment of the European Union's Rule of Law mission, EULEX, among other matters, with Kosovo's President, Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci in Pristina on 5 November and again in London on 20 November. The Prime Minister joined the meeting in London on the 20 November and the Kosovan leadership also met the Minister for Europe.
In all these meetings, the President and Prime Minister expressed their commitment to full deployment of EULEX. Despite deep concerns about some of the UN proposed transitional arrangements, they remain committed to take account of the concerns of Kosovo's Serbian community and to building Kosovo as a multi-ethnic community. I made clear the UK's full support for the deployment of EULEX throughout Kosovo, a point which was reinforced by the Minister for Europe.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for the deployment of the EU's Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo of the recent decision by the government of Kosovo to reject the six point plan drawn up by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. [239501]
David Miliband: Despite deep concerns about some of the UN proposed transitional arrangements, the Kosovan government has made clear its commitment to work with the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and to take into account the views of Serb and other minority communities.
The UN's latest quarterly report on UNMIK (S/2008/692) duly notes the concerns in Pristina and undertakes continuously to consult and co-ordinate with Pristina on the implementations of transitional measures. We are confident EULEX deployment should therefore proceed throughout the territory of Kosovo.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of the provision of language training to members of his Department was in each of the last 10 financial years. [237244]
David Miliband: The total cost of provision of language training to Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff in the following financial years was as follows:
| Financial year | Amount (£) |
To obtain figures for years prior to 2002 would incur disproportionate cost.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens visited Madagascar in each of the last five years. [233968]
Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold official statistics on the number of UK citizens who have visited Madagascar for each of the last five years. Approximate figures, sourced from the Malagasy Ministry of the Environment, Forestry and Tourism website are as follows:
| Number of UK citizens | |
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers have visited Madagascar in the last 12 months on official business. [233969]
Gillian Merron: No Ministers have visited Madagascar on official business in the last 12 months.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on the possibility of re-opening a British Embassy in Madagascar. [233971]
Gillian Merron: My Right. hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no recent discussions about the possibility of re-opening a British Embassy in Madagascar. British interests in Madagascar are managed by our non-resident Ambassador (based in Port Louis, Mauritius), supported by two Honorary Consuls in Madagascar. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will open a British Interests Section in Madagascar, based in the German Embassy, by the end of this month to help support the High Commission in Port Louis in its work.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to governments in the Middle East on anti-Semitism; what response was received in each case; and if he will make a statement. [235695]
Bill Rammell: The UK condemns anti-Semitism, along with any incitement to hatred and violence. We have consistently called on all parties in the Middle East to do everything possible to desist from such incitement and to curb extremism.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has developed a strategy for promoting the presence of UK academic and cultural institutions in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement. [237245]
David Miliband: The British Council works across the middle east to promote UK academic and cultural exchanges through strong local partnerships. The British Council's strategy focuses on the delivery of high impact programmes in English, education, social development and intercultural dialogue which meet the expectations of UK stakeholders and the needs of the region.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost to his Department was of each defence section in each (a) city and (b) country outside the UK in each year since 2000. [236449]
Gillian Merron: The estimated total cost for defence attachés at overseas posts in the financial year 2007-08 was £15 million including both direct and indirect costs. A breakdown of this cost is set out in a table which will be placed in the Library. As part of a transition arrangement we agreed to cap the costs recovered for defence attachés at £10.5 million for 2008-09 and £12 million for each of the subsequent two financial years.
Prior to 2007, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) tasked the defence attaché network to help deliver FCO objectives. As a consequence, the FCO did not recover the costs it spent on defence attachés and it is therefore not possible to provide the cost of each individual defence section.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 6 October 2008, Official Report, column 228W, on Morocco: Western Sahara, when he was informed that the European Parliament had obtained a legal opinion that the agreement would not be in accordance with international law; and if he will make a statement. [235577]
Bill Rammell: With regard to the answer of 6 October 2008, Official Report, column 228W, on Morocco fisheries. The European Parliament did not communicate to the UK any legal opinion they obtained about the EU—Morocco Fisheries Agreement. As legal opinion is provided in confidence, it would be inappropriate for Her Majesty’s Government to offer any comment on such opinion.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will encourage the Nepalese authorities to give the right to settle in Nepal to those Tibetans presently resident in Nepal but without a registration card. [234209]
Bill Rammell: We are in contact with the Nepalese authorities and with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees to find a solution to the problems faced by Tibetan refugees in Nepal.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with UN counterparts on the international trade in stolen Nigerian oil; and what proposals the Government has put forward to reduce the trade. [232111]
Gillian Merron: Our High Commission in Abuja participates in a series of working groups with international partners, including the UN, to discuss possible approaches to the problem of oil bunkering in Nigeria. These possible approaches include oil-fingerprinting, metering of oil to improve production statistics and the use of electronic bills of lading. The UK also uses the forum of the Gulf of Guinea Energy Security Strategy (GGESS) to press Nigeria to improve its own capability to address the problem. The UK is currently supporting the development of Joint Maritime Security Training Centre with the Nigerian Armed Forces, which aims to improve Nigeria's capacity to patrol in-shore in the Niger Delta region and therefore enhance security.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will task officials in his Department with studying lessons learned from counter-piracy operations in the Straits of Malacca in 2005 for application to the situation in the Gulf of Aden; and what discussions his Department has had with the Governments of Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand on the matter. [239498]
David Miliband: The regional agreement between Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore to coordinate law enforcement in the Malacca Straits established a joint mechanism for tackling piracy which is widely regarded as a success. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) sponsored a series of conferences on Security, Safety and Environment of the Malacca Straits with the engagement of the regional states which examined the high incidence of piracy in these waters. The UK along with other principal users of the Straits (USA and Japan) offered technical assistance to the littoral states to help combat piracy. But the key to success was these states' willingness to cooperate and ability to police the waters effectively.
There are significant differences between the situation in the Gulf of Aden and the Straits of Malacca. Efforts to counter piracy are obstructed by the lack of governance in Somalia which allows piracy to grow unchecked, the vastly larger geographical area and the habit of Somali pirates to hijack ships bringing them in to port for ransom, rather than rob them at sea. But without a functioning government in Somalia, no lasting solution will be reached.
Cooperation was important in the Malacca Straits. The UK has made it clear that Operation Atalanta, the forthcoming ESDP maritime operation, needs to be closely co-ordinated with other multinational forces currently in the Gulf of Aden, notably CTF150 and NATO.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239042]
Gillian Merron: This information is not held centrally, as there is no dedicated account for expenditure on any of these activities. Individual budgets would need to identify relevant expenditure to obtain a total for the Department, and this could be done only at disproportionate cost.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been (a) investigated and (b) upheld in the last 12 months. [236895]
Gillian Merron: During the last 12 months (for the period 2007 to October 2008) there have been fewer than FIVE reported complaints of racial abuse in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Further details cannot be given on the grounds of confidentiality.
The FCO has a Dignity at Work policy and a dedicated Bullying and Harassment policy on its internal intranet. Changes to human resources policies are notified to staff through staff circulars. The FCO regularly consults with and involves its employee groups on how we can ensure we are promoting equality of opportunity and addressing discrimination in line with both our overall diversity and inclusion strategy. Two-way meetings between employee group right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary are held as part of a wider regular dialogue with employee groups.
Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008, Official Report, column 688W, on rendition, whether the Customs and Daily Occurrence Logs or the General Declarations which cover the period when the two cases of rendition occurred were examined at any stage prior to their destruction for the purposes of determining the veracity of claims that Diego Garcia had been used in the US rendition programme. [236299]
Bill Rammell: I refer to my answer to the hon. Member's written question of 29 September 2008 (224457). We do not have the precise date on when these records were destroyed.
We have no record of the flight records having being examined for these purposes prior to their destruction. Previous records searches, for instance preceding my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary Jack Straw's statements to Parliament on rendition in 2005 focussed on the question of whether the US had ever requested the use of a UK territory or airspace for the purposes of rendition. We cannot determine whether searches of specific flight records held on Diego Garcia were conducted at that time, or whether the records covering 2002 still existed at that point.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the BBC World Service’s operations in Russia; and if he will make a statement. [238249]
David Miliband: The BBC World Service’s operations in Russia provide the Russian audience with trusted, high quality current affairs programmes and new media services. BBC Russian is a distinctive public service, and is a World Service priority language service. It is the second largest language service in the World Service both in terms of budget and radio programming. It is essential that it remains relevant and maximises its audience impact by the appropriate means (e.g. through a more focused streamlined news delivery on radio and an increased online presence). That is why the Foreign and Commonwealth Office supported the recent changes that will assist BBC Russia in its mission to be the most trusted and influential international news provider in Russia.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff at the British Embassy in Moscow are employed to work on correspondence; and what the average response time to written correspondence has been in the latest period for which figures are available. [239255]
Caroline Flint: There are no staff at the British embassy specifically employed to handle correspondence as this is a requirement for all staff. There is a target response time of 20 working days.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by the British Embassy in Moscow on (a) newspapers, magazines and periodicals and (b) stationery in each of the last five years. [239256]
Caroline Flint: The British embassy holds records of expenditure for the financial year 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09.
(a) The figures on expenditure relating to newspapers and periodicals are as follows:
| Financial year | Expenditure (£) |
| (1) To date | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1788W—continued
(b) The following is the expenditure on stationery:
| Financial year | Expenditure (£) |
| (1) To date | |
The increase in the last two financial years reflects costs incurred by UK Border Agency for visa processing.
Figures for both stationery and newspaper/periodicals include costs incurred on behalf of other Government Departments and recovered under Service Level Agreements.
Jo Swinson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many receptions held at the British embassy in Moscow were organised and funded by (a) trade unions, (b) charities, (c) businesses
and (d) other types of organisation in each of the last five years; and what income the embassy received from charges for the use of facilities for receptions in each such year. [239257]
Caroline Flint: On average, one or two receptions per week are held at the British embassy in Moscow. Some are official events but others are partly or fully sponsored by external organisations. These receptions include, but are not limited to:
(a) Trade missions to promote and strengthen UK/Russia trade links;
(b) Project launches for non-governmental organisations, press events;
(c) Receptions for visiting Ministers and officials, graduation ceremonies; and
(d) The annual Queen's Birthday Party.
There is a flat fee of £100 which is charged for the use of the embassy facilities by outside organisations. All other costs relating to an event sponsored by an external organisation are met by the organiser. The embassy does not have access to figures on these costs.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the monetary value is of the (a) wine and (b) other alcohol held in storage by the British Embassy in Moscow. [239258]
Caroline Flint: The value of alcohol stocks held at the British embassy in Moscow can be broken down as follows:
(a) Wine: £5,857;
(b) Spirits: £1,549.
In addition a stock of soft drinks is held, which has a total value of £1,066.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on alcoholic drinks for receptions at the British Embassy in Moscow in each of the last five years. [239259]
Caroline Flint: The British embassy in Moscow is not accounted by accounting rules to break down its entertainment expenditure into component parts. These figures cannot be compiled except at disproportionate cost.
In addition, much of the alcoholic drink served at functions at the British embassy in Moscow is either provided free of charge or is paid for directly by the organisation co-hosting the function. In the latter example, the embassy would not ordinarily be aware of the sum being spent.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the running cost of the British Embassy in Moscow was in each of the last five years. [239372]
Caroline Flint: The net running costs at the British embassy in Moscow, expenditure less income, is as follows:
| FY | £ million |
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the European Commission on its audit of EU-Russian relations; what contribution the Government has made to that audit; and if he will make a statement. [234051]
David Miliband: The UK works closely with the European Commission and other member states on EU/Russia policy. The audit of EU-Russia relations commissioned by the special European Council of 1 September has just issued. We look forward to its consideration by Foreign Ministers at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 10 November. It will be important that the audit informs the progress of the negotiations on a successor to the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement.
Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed with his Russian and Georgian counterparts allegations of war crimes committed by both sides during the recent Russia-Georgia conflict. [234063]
David Miliband: Both the Russian and Georgian governments have made allegations of war crimes. This issue was discussed when my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on 25 September, and Georgian President Saakashvili on 27 September in New York. The EU and UK have called for any allegations of war crimes to be independently investigated.
Heads of EU states agreed at the September European Council to set up an inquiry into the origins of the conflict. The former Head of the UN Mission to Georgia (UNOMIG) Heidi Tagliavini has been selected to head the inquiry. Her remit has now been agreed and at the request of the UK a requirement for the inquiry to look at war crimes and breaches of international and humanitarian law has been included.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment the Government has made of the relationship between Russia and Georgia. [235376]
Caroline Flint: Relations between Georgia and Russia are strained, following the conflict in August.
The EU and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ceasefire plan, brokered between President Sarkozy and President Medvedev on 12 August, included a commitment to talks on security and stability in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The first round of these talks took place in Geneva on 15 October
under EU chairmanship with UN and OSCE participation. At the second meeting held on 18 November, there were two working groups, one to discuss security and stability in the region, and the other on refugees and internally displaced persons. The next meeting is scheduled for 17-18 December. We are encouraging both Georgia and Russia to engage constructively and hope that this will lead to a lasting, peaceful solution. In the meantime, we urge restraint on both sides.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of occasions on which ransom has been (a) demanded and (b) paid in respect of vessels hijacked off the coast of Somalia in 2008; and what estimate he has made of the total ransom paid. [238242]
David Miliband: The Government are aware of 38 hijackings off the coast of Somalia in 2008 for which ransoms have been demanded. It is British Government policy that ransoms should not be paid. Where ransoms are paid by private individuals or companies the details are not normally made public and such information is not held by the Government.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what arrangements the eight Somalis recently apprehended by the Royal Navy in the Gulf of Aden on grounds of piracy were transferred to Kenyan custody; whether further such transfers are planned; and if he will make a statement. [239833]
David Miliband: The eight Somalis apprehended by the Royal Navy in the Gulf of Aden were transferred to Kenyan custody on the basis of an exchange of letters between the British and Kenyan Governments specific to this incident. Discussions are ongoing between the EU and a number of states regarding any future detentions that are made during anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions Ministers and officials in his Department have had with the Association of South East Asian Nations on energy and climate change. [236490]
Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed climate change with the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary General when they last met during the Asia-Europe Meeting in Beijing in October. While in Beijing my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also discussed climate change with Foreign Ministers from other ASEAN countries including Indonesia. Additionally, other Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials are in regular contact with both ASEAN and its constituent nations with whom we consistently discuss both climate change and energy.
The ASEAN grouping brings together some of the nations who will be hit hardest and hit first by climate change. Countries like Vietnam and Thailand are some
of the world’s most vulnerable and it is critical that their voices are heard in the international climate negotiations. ASEAN will be important in driving the political mobilisation necessary for an ambitious and equitable post 2012 agreement at Copenhagen.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 168W, on Sri Lanka, what proposals the UK has put forward to strengthen human rights mechanisms in Sri Lanka; and what action has been taken on those proposals. [236343]
Bill Rammell: During Sri Lanka's UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in May, the UK worked closely with the Government of Sri Lanka and other international partners to agree a series of recommendations to improve the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. These are set out in the UPR Working Group report (A/HRC/8/46) available at
http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session2/LK/A_HRC_8_46_SriLanka _E.pdf
We welcome the Sri Lankan Government's announcement of a national action plan on the protection and promotion of human rights and we continue to urge them to ensure early progress.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives the Government have put forward to re-start the Sri Lankan peace process negotiations; and what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the (a) US, (b) EU, (c) India and (d) Japan on these initiatives. [236348]
Bill Rammell: The UK continues to urge all parties to the conflict to work towards a sustainable political settlement for Sri Lanka. We stand ready to assist the people of Sri Lanka to take forward efforts to achieve this. My noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown discussed Sri Lanka with Ministers and officials when he visited India in October. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are in regular contact with EU, US, Indian and Japanese counterparts about how the international community can contribute towards a long term political settlement.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Sri Lanka on its recent refusal to allow a European Union investigation mission into human rights abuses into the country for monitoring and reporting purposes; and if he will make a statement. [236349]
Bill Rammell: The UK continues to urge the Sri Lankan Government to engage in a constructive dialogue with the European Commission in relation to the investigation under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) plus scheme. We have made clear that the onus is on the Government of Sri Lanka to demonstrate its compliance with the 27 international conventions that underpin the scheme.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed the merits of a UN arms embargo for the whole of Sudan with his counterparts in UN Security Council member states; and whether such an embargo has been discussed at the UN Security Council. [237361]
David Miliband: The UK asked the Sudan UN Sanctions Committee of 6 November 2007 to extend its arms embargo on Darfur to all of Sudan, but not all Security Council members agreed. We have raised the issue in the Security Council whenever Sudan has been discussed, and elsewhere, e.g. at the UN/African Union led talks on Darfur in Geneva on 5 June.
On 12 June 2008 the UK reiterated in the UN Security Council the need for all parties to adhere to the arms embargo on Darfur. We will continue to press for an extension of the arms embargo.
The EU continues to operate an arms embargo on the whole of Sudan.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with UN Security Council counterparts on proposals to strengthen the UN's Mission in Sudan in order to improve the security situation in the Nuba region. [236351]
Gillian Merron: Our Permanent Representative to the UN raised the situation in Southern Kordofan (which includes the Nuba region) in the UN Security Council on 18 August and 5 November of this year and encouraged United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) to focus on priority areas including the Nuba region.
In his latest report on Sudan (20 October 2008), the UN Secretary-General noted a decline in inter-ethnic violence in Southern Kordofan. We remain concerned about the potential for conflict and continue to monitor the situation in the area through UNMIS, and through the Security Working Group of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission, which visited the region on 13-14 November.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters were discussed during his meeting with the President of Syria on 17 November; and if he will make a statement. [239604]
Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary’s discussion with President Assad on 18 November focused on recent positive developments in the region, how to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East and the need for those with power in the region to exercise it with great responsibility. They also discussed the UK’s concerns over Syria’s co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and its human rights record.
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what personal training courses at public expense he has undertaken since his appointment. [230957]
Gillian Merron: Since June 2007 the Foreign Secretary has received training in the presentation of foreign policy and in Foreign and Commonwealth IT systems.
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by the Government to give effect to UN General Assembly Resolution 1723 (XVI), with specific reference to the right to self-determination. [235569]
David Miliband: As the Foreign Secretary made clear in his written ministerial statement of 29 October, the UK does not support independence for Tibet and considers Tibet to be part of the People's Republic of China. However, we do believe that a system of meaningful autonomy with full respect for Tibet's distinct culture, religion and languages, to be a valid aspiration, and one which we support.
We consider that the position the Dalai Lama has stated publicly, including when he visited Britain this year, that he is seeking meaningful autonomy within the framework of the Chinese constitution, provides the basis for a negotiated settlement. We continue to call on both parties to engage in substantive dialogue towards such a settlement.
The United Kingdom voted in favour of UN General Assembly resolution 1723 (XVI) expressly to register disapproval at the human rights situation in Tibet. We made clear at the time that our support did not indicate any change in our position on Tibet's status.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1794W—continued
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will withdraw from the UN Durban II anti-racism conference in the light of the language used in the draft statement portraying Israel as an enemy of humanity; and if he will make a statement. [239540]
Gillian Merron: The Government have previously expressed their concern at the direction taken by preparations for the Durban Review Conference. A further round of negotiations will take place in January 2009, after which the Government will assess their position. At a recent Preparatory Committee (held in Geneva from 7 to 18 October), the United Kingdom delegation was pro-active in promoting positive language and objecting to contributions from other blocs that we deemed unacceptable, which included language singling out Israel.
Mr. Dismore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on which countries (a) have withdrawn and (b) are considering withdrawal for the
UN Durban II anti-racism conference due to the language used concerning Israel in the draft statement; and if he will make a statement. [239541]
Gillian Merron: Israel and Canada have formally announced that they would not participate in the Durban Review conference. The United States have not thus far engaged in the process, having walked out of the 2001 World Conference Against Racism. France and Denmark have both made public statements expressing concerns about the preparatory process.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the UN on the draft statement for the UN Durban II anti-racism conference; and if he will make a statement. [239542]
Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 12 November. He informed her that the United Kingdom was dissatisfied with preparations for the Durban Review Conference and explained our key concerns. These included how the outcome document would approach challenges to the right to freedom of expression, singling out of Israel, the fight against anti-Semitism and historical issues.
Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 878W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping operations (1) when the request to provide assistance to the review of American defence and security policy regarding engagement in the greater Middle East and Central Asian area was received; and which part of the United States administration made the request; [236134]
(2) what the projected cost of the UK’s contribution to the American review of defence and security policy in the greater Middle East and Central Asian area is; [236139]
(3) what the (a) names and (b) affiliations are of the 17 members of the UK team to contribute to the review of American defence and security policy in the greater Middle East and Central Asian area; [236137]
(4) when he expects the UK team to begin its work on the American review of defence and security policy in the greater Middle East and Central Asian area; [236138]
(5) what the Government’s objectives are for the review of American defence and security policy in the greater Middle East and Central Asian area; and if he will publish the Government’s contribution; [236136]
(6) what the terms of reference for the review of American defence and security policy in the greater Middle East and Central Asian area are; when it will be concluded; and whether a formal report will be published at the end of the process. [236135]
Gillian Merron:
US General David Petraeus established a Central Command (CENTCOM) Assessment Team (CAT) which began on 4 November and is due to conclude in February 2009. Its aim is to conduct a
comprehensive assessment of the CENTCOM area of operations—which spans the greater Middle East and parts of Asia, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The UK was asked to contribute to the review of American defence and security policy during September 2008. Participation in the review is part of the important bilateral relationship with the US. Some costs are being met by CENTCOM while other costs, including salary, will be covered by individual departments. We will write to the hon. Member separately with details. The UK is a key partner in the ongoing international coalition aiming to bring security and stability to this area. The CAT is an integral part of this effort and the UK therefore has a responsibility to participate.
The UK team is drawn from a range of thematic and geographical experience with two personnel from the FCO, one person from DFID and 14 personnel from the MOD and military. The FCO does not routinely release the names of individuals. The UK team began work in the CAT on 4 November following preparation in Whitehall within the policy and research community.
The UK objective for participation is to share our views, and learn those of others, across a very broad spectrum of issues concerning the provision of security, the rule of law and other issues of current global concern. The UK will contribute to a wide discussion and will not publish their contribution separately.
Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on joint UK/Morocco military exercises in occupied Western Sahara. [238852]
Bill Rammell: As my right. hon. Friend the Minister for the armed forces stated on 13 November, Official Report, column 1301W, the Governments of the UK and Morocco signed a Joint Accord on Technical and Military Co-operation in 1993 under which the two countries conduct bi-lateral military co-operation including training. This arrangement does not specify what facilities are used in Morocco and it does not cover the territory of Western Sahara. The British armed forces do not conduct bi-lateral military activity in Western Sahara whose status is yet to be determined by the UN.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when he plans to answer Question 225596, tabled on 6 October 2008, on language training in his Department; [237453]
(2) when he plans to answer Question 225596, tabled on 6th October 2008, on language training. [238252]
David Miliband: These questions were answered on 26 November.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long on average Ministers in his Department have taken to answer questions for (a) ordinary written answer and (b) written answer on a named day in the present parliamentary session. [238237]
David Miliband: To collate this information would incur disproportionate cost. There has been a delay in answering a number of questions during the present session due to administrative error. I and other Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers have apologised individually to hon. and right hon. Members for these delays.
The FCO has upgraded its central system for answering questions, with effect from the start of the new session to ensure that questions are answered in a timely manner, and management information is more readily available.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long on average his Department has taken to answer letters from hon. Members in the present parliamentary session. [238238]
Gillian Merron: Guidance for Government Departments handling correspondence from hon. and right hon. Members is laid down by the Cabinet Office, who has a set target of 20 working days to reply to routine correspondence.
From our records it is not possible to calculate the average time taken to answer hon. Members’ letters. However, of the 9,452 letters received from 1 November 2007 to 30 September 2008, records indicate that 8,431 letters were answered within the 20-day target.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many questions to his Department for written answer on a named day in the present parliamentary session to date did not receive a substantive reply on the day named. [238239]
David Miliband: To collate this information would incur disproportionate cost. There has been a delay in answering a number of questions during the present session, due to administrative error. I and other Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers have apologised individually to hon. and right hon. Members for these delays.
The FCO has upgraded its central system for answering questions, with effect from the start of the new session to ensure that questions are answered in a timely manner, and management information is more readily available.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many questions to his Department for ordinary written answer did not receive an answer within one working week of the date of tabling in the present parliamentary session to date. [238240]
David Miliband: To collate this information would incur disproportionate cost. There has been a delay in answering a number of questions during the present session, due to administrative error. I and other Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers have apologised individually to hon. and right hon. Members for these delays.
The FCO has upgraded its central system for answering questions, with effect from the start of the new session to ensure that questions are answered in a timely manner, and management information is more readily available.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Questions for (a) ordinary written answer and (b) written answer on a named day Ministers in his Department have answered in the present parliamentary session. [238241]
David Miliband: Ministers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have answered more than 3,800 Parliamentary Questions for either ordinary written answer or written answer on a named day in the present Session. It is not possible to give an exact figure without incurring disproportionate cost. The FCO has upgraded its central system for answering Questions, with effect from the start of the new session, to ensure that Questions are answered in a timely manner, and management information is more readily available.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to answer Question 225600, tabled on 6th October 2008, on reception of visiting dignitaries. [238253]
David Miliband: This question was answered on 26 November
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to answer Question 225598, tabled on 6th October 2008, on Government hospitality. [238254]
David Miliband: This question was answered on 26 November.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to answer Question 228919, on departmental security, tabled on 16 October 2008. [239019]
Gillian Merron: This question was answered on 20 November 2008, Official Report, column 747W.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the EU Common Position on Zimbabwe will next be reviewed; and what his policy is on (a) strengthening the Common Position and (b) including new restrictive measures. [236393]
David Miliband: We regularly review the EU Common Position on Zimbabwe with EU partners and will do so again before Christmas. In those discussions we will consider strengthening the EU Common Position including the addition of new restrictive measures. The EU is committed to supporting the establishment of a new government that reflects the democratic will of the Zimbabwean people as expressed in the 29 March elections.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made by the Stabilisation Unit in Afghanistan on wealth creation projects. [237627]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The Stabilisation Unit provides civilian experts to the UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Helmand Province, and through them has responsibility for ensuring the delivery of major components of the UK’s effort in Helmand. Licit wealth creation is a priority for the PRT.
Providing security is probably the single most important factor in enabling economic growth and wealth creation. So, for example, we have seen considerable growth in the volume of trade in District Centre bazaars when they come under the control of the Government of Afghanistan.
More directly supporting wealth creation, the PRT is working with the Government of Afghanistan to:
improve infrastructure, including through the construction of roads, markets, and irrigation schemes;
run cash-for-work schemes. The PRT is supporting a £1.8 million cash-for-work programme in five districts creating employment for over 600 individuals;
support licit agricultural livelihoods. The PRT is supporting contract farming, the provision of wheat seed and the guarantee of farm gate prices which has enabled over 6,000 farmers to benefit from crop diversification;
provide vocational training. The PRT has sponsored a variety of courses and events, including in May 2008 a business administration course for 75 women to assist them to establish small family run businesses.
We assess that Helmand has made the first small steps in the sustainable transition to a economy driven by licit activity.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what fuel the main generators of power plants in Afghanistan are run. [238662]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: Diesel.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the geographical location is of the main generating power plants in Afghanistan; what their output is; and how far their supply extends. [238663]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The Afghan Energy Information Center, supported by USAID, lists 18 Hydro power plants with a combined generating capacity of 263MW, 15 Thermal energy plants with a generating capacity of 88MW and 13 sources from which energy is imported from neighbouring countries capable of supplying a further 296MW. The individual locations and generating capacities are shown in the following table.
Although total generating capacity is over 600MW the actual output is estimated to be around 400MW. There is no national grid system and distribution is limited to individuals and businesses that are located in the major cities or close to sources of power generation.
| Power Plant | Type | Installed Capacity (MW) |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1800W—continued
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many major road projects have been (a) started and (b) completed in Afghanistan since 2001; how many of the roads concerned remain in operation; and what the geographical starting and finishing points of each project are. [237628]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: Since October 2001, the donor community has provided over $3 billion towards the repair and expansion of Afghanistan’s road network. According to the Asian Development Bank, which is the lead donor in this sector, by the end of 2007, improvement works had either been completed or were ongoing on approximately 3,200 km of regional roads, 1,900 km of national roads and 6,000 km of rural roads across all of Afghanistan.
86 per cent. of the regional road network is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2008 with the remainder to be operational by 2010. As far as we are aware, all of the roads constructed since October 2001 are still in operation.
The Asian Development Bank has also estimated that the donor community is planning to spend a further $1.25 billion on Afghanistan’s road network over the next four to five years.
Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what forms of access roads there are into and out of Musa Qaleh. [237629]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The access roads connecting Musa Qala to the other major towns of north and central Helmand of Gereshk, Lashkar Gah, Kajaki and Sangin are unpaved, well-used tracks suitable for heavy vehicles.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-23W, on Africa: education, what the outcome of the teacher census in Sierra Leone was. [238475]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The teachers' census that was undertaken in Sierra Leone (August, 2008) revealed that there are 33,164 teachers in Government-owned or Government-assisted primary and secondary schools. This is broadly similar to the total number of teachers on the official payroll. However, further investigations are needed and are underway in order to establish a fully credible and reliable payroll.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-23W, on Africa: education, what the requirements for disbursements from (a) the Catalytic Fund and (b) the UNICEF-administered transition fund are. [238476]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Education for All (EFA) Fast Track Initiative’s (FTI) Catalytic Fund is currently managed under World Bank Trust Fund regulations. The World Bank applies the same fiduciary controls to Catalytic Fund disbursement as it does with any of its other transactions.
Disbursements from the Catalytic Fund to countries securing FTI endorsement are made according to a needs based allocation, agreed by the Catalytic Fund Steering Committee (comprised of the donors contributing to the Catalytic Fund). The funding modality used in disbursing funds is agreed between the World Bank as fund supervising entity and the recipient government, and formalised within a grant agreement.
There is broad international agreement to convert an existing Netherlands-UNICEF bilateral programme into a multilateral Transition Fund managed by UNICEF within the FTI partnership. The requirements for disbursements under this fund are currently being formulated.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 30th October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-3W, on Africa: education, what the best practice criteria on harmonisation and alignment in the (a) Monterrey consensus and (b) Paris Declaration are. [238477]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The best practice criteria on harmonisation and alignment in the (a) Monterey Consensus and (b) Paris Declaration are as follows:-
(a) Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for
Recipient and donor countries, as well as international institutions, should strive to make Official Development Assistance (ODA) more effective. In particular, there is a need for the multilateral and bilateral financial and development institutions to intensify efforts to:
Harmonise their operational procedures at the highest standard so as to reduce account national development needs and objectives under the ownership of the recipient country;
Support and enhance recent efforts and initiatives, such as untying aid, including the implementation of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/Development Assistance Committee recommendation on untying aid to the least developed countries, as agreed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in May 2001. Further efforts should be made to address burdensome restrictions;
Enhance the absorptive capacity and financial management of the recipient countries to utilise aid in order to promote the use of the most suitable aid delivery instruments that are responsive to the needs of developing countries and to the need for resource predictability, including budget support mechanisms, where appropriate, and in a fully consultative manner;
Use development frameworks that are owned and driven by developing countries and that embody poverty reduction strategies, including poverty reduction strategy papers, as vehicles for aid delivery, upon request;
Enhance recipient countries' input into and ownership of the design, including procurement, of technical assistance programmes; and increase the effective use of local technical assistance resources;
Promote the use of ODA to leverage additional financing for development, such as foreign investment, trade and domestic resources;
Strengthen triangular cooperation, including countries with economies in transition, and South-South cooperation, as delivery tools for assistance;
Improve ODA targeting to the poor, coordination of aid and measurement of results.
Donors base their support on partner countries' national development strategies, institutions and procedures.
Reliable Country Systems
Aid flows aligned on national priorities
Strengthened capacity by coordinated support
Use of country Public Finance Management systems and procurement systems. Strengthening capacity by avoiding parallel implementation structures
Aid is more predictable and is untied
Donor actions are more harmonised, transparent and collectively effective.
Use of common arrangements or procedures
Encouraging shared analysis
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-23W, on Africa: education, what criteria he uses to assess whether a bilateral or multilateral investment proposal is bankable. [238478]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time before Prorogation.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-23W, on Africa: education, what the compliance requirements of the Education for All Fast Track Initiative are. [238479]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The focus of the Education for All (EFA) Fast Track Initiative (FTI) is to accelerate country progress towards the universal primary education goals through additional funding and building local capacity.
The FTI Catalytic Fund provides financial assistance to FTI countries which have (a) an approved national Poverty Reduction Strategy, (b) endorsed education sector plans (through the FTI review process) and (c) have an identified funding gap.
The World Bank currently manages the FTI’s two major pooled trust funds, the Education Programme Development Fund and the Catalytic Fund. It applies the same fiduciary controls to fund disbursement as it does with any of its other transactions. Further information about the FTI may be obtained from the FTI website
http://www.education-fast-track.org/.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-23W, on Africa: education, what the imputed UK share of multilateral overseas development aid for the Education for All initiative is. [238523]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: It is not possible to track support to the Education for All initiative through multilateral organisations. The total imputed DFID share of multilateral overseas development aid for education was £104 million for the 2006-07 period. This figure does not include an imputed share of General Budget Support provided by multilateral organisations which is subsequently spent on education.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-23W, on Africa: education, which sectors of the Education
for All initiatives are supported on the UK’s behalf by (a) the International Development Association, (b) the African Development Fund, (c) the European Commission and (d) the UN Children’s Fund. [238524]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: It is not possible to track which sectors of the Education for All initiative are supported through multilateral organisations. The Education for All Goals cover broad areas from early childhood care, free primary education and the particular needs of girls to the learning needs of young people and adults including literacy, numeracy and essential life skills.
The total imputed DFID share of multilateral overseas development aid for education for each organisation in 2006-07 is:
| £ million | |
The figures do not include an imputed share of General Budget Support provided by multilateral organisations which is subsequently spent on education.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-23W, on Africa: education, which (a) major donors in education (b) developing countries and (c) civil society organisations are partners in the Education For All Fast Track initiative. [238525]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: Some 30 bilateral, regional and international agencies and development banks are partners of the Education for All Fast Track Initiative (FTI). The main financial contributors are the Netherlands, the UK, Spain and the European Commission. 36 developing countries have to date had their education plans endorsed by the FTI. Civil Society Organisations are represented on the FTI Steering Committee by the Global Campaign for Education and Data. Full details can be obtained from the FTI website at
http://www.education-fast-track.org/
and go to the link for ‘Partners’.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-23W, on Africa: education, what reports his Department and its international partners have produced on the outcome of the project undertaken by the Association for Development of Education in African Books Working Group. [238529]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: DFID was the lead agency for the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Working Group on Books and Learning Materials from July 2004 to February 2008. We provided annual reports to the ADEA secretariat in Paris on the Working Group's activities in support of book development in Sub-Saharan Africa. From March 2008, the Working Group has been lead by the Department of Education in South Africa, with coordination provided by Read Education Trust.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-3W, on Africa: education, what the nature is of the infrastructure grants provided to the government of Kenya; and how much funding the UK has provided to education in Malawi. [238532]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The UK Government do not provide infrastructure grants to the government of Kenya. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her on 30 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1320-3W, in which I advised that we provide funding, along with other donors, to the government of Kenya's Education Sector Support Programme. The programme works in 23 investment areas, one of which is the provision of infrastructure grants to primary schools. There are two types of grant:
(i) The Basic school infrastructure grant, which supplements on-going community initiatives rather than replacing a long established tradition of self reliance. Grants have been provided to 4,000 schools out of a total of 18,500. These were selected based on poverty levels in their area, enrolment levels, examination data and the physical condition of permanent and temporary infrastructure. Grants have ranged from Ksh 100,000 (approx £750) to Ksh 400,000 (approx £3,000).
(ii) The Additional school infrastructure grant, which is for schools with the highest enrolments and the very poorest physical infrastructure. Schools are selected after they have a used a basic grant well and after a plan has been developed and approved for an additional grant, which can be around Ksh 1 million (approx £7,500).
We plan to spend some £17 million in the education sector in Malawi in 2008-09. Over the previous three years, we spent £9.2 million in 2007-08, £6.4 million in 2006-07 and £6.5 million in 2005-06.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the progress the EU Water Initiative Africa Working Group has made towards meeting the Millennium Development Goal on water and sanitation. [239320]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The EU disbursed nearly £1 billion pounds to the water sector in Africa last year. The EU Africa Working Group works with the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) to improve the effectiveness of this aid. The Department for International Development (DFID) is this year co-chairing, with AMCOW, the Africa Working Group. This has led to a strengthened engagement with African partners and donors to ensure that future aid provided to Africa more closely matches the needs of those countries to meet the water and sanitation targets. The Africa Working Group has also worked to highlight the need to do more on sanitation, the most off-track of the millennium development goals. This has led to 32 African Ministers committing to give increased priority, including more national funding, to sanitation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1805W—continued
Mr. Moore:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 3 November 2008, Official
Report, column 5WS, on CDC Group, what measures his Department has taken to fulfil the obligations of paragraph 9.1 of the New Investment Policy to (a) determine and (b) measure the (i) differentiation and (ii) added value of CDC investments. [239302]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: DFID and CDC are working together to illustrate the ways in which CDC provides added value and differentiation. These include the extent to which CDC acts as a lead investor in funds, its role in attracting third party investment and its wider demonstration effect to private investors, including environmental, social and ethical standards.
Determining additionality is a difficult challenge faced by all development finance institutions, and not only CDC. But CDC's new investment policy, which focuses very significantly more on poorer countries than other DFIs, is a major part of seeking to ensure that CDC's investments are additional.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 5WS, on CDC Group, when the CDC shareholders' resolution adopting the New Investment Policy was passed. [239303]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The new investment policy will be adopted at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the company to be held before the end of 2008.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 5WS, on CDC Group, what consideration he gave to including targets for investment in (a) agriculture and (b) environment sectors within the policy targets; and if he will make a statement. [239304]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: DFID's primary objectives for CDC are that it should invest in the creation and growth of viable private businesses in poorer countries to contribute to economic growth for the benefit of the poor; and mobilise other private investors to invest in these markets, both directly and more widely by demonstrating profitable investments.
In some countries and circumstances, well-chosen investment in agriculture and the environment sectors may generate good returns; in other countries and circumstances this may not be the case as a result, the new CDC policy does not include specific targets for investment in certain sectors.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 5WS, on CDC Group, what measures his Department will put in place to ensure parliamentary scrutiny of the reports his Department receives from CDC under paragraph 12 of the New Investment Policy. [239305]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: I will place copies of both CDC's annual report and accounts, as well as CDC's annual review will be placed in the Library of the House.
As part of the annual report CDC will include a report on its development impact, as well the conclusions of the independent audit of its implementation processes in relation to the Investment Code.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 5WS, on CDC Group, what his Department's timescale is for the principle to work overtime to apply relevant international best practice standards, as set out in the Investment Code. [239306]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: CDC is currently working with around 60 investment fund managers of differing experience and sophistication, which in turn are investing in some 600 businesses in developing countries. CDC has made good progress in raising the standards applied by the fund managers in which it invests, and has different timescales with different fund managers according to the nature of the challenges to be addressed in each case.
Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 5WS, on CDC Group, why his Department has included in section 3 of the Investment Code an exception to the exclusion of investment in tobacco or tobacco-related products; what current investments involving tobacco CDC has or is committed to; and if he will make a statement. [239307]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: Some African companies seeking investment from CDC have old, legacy connections to tobacco farming. To encourage agribusiness investment in poor countries, CDC's excluded investment list was recently amended so that it is now possible for promising agribusinesses with small and declining legacy tobacco farming interests to receive backing from CDC funds.
CDC has no investments or commitments involving tobacco or cigarette production and CDC's capital will not be used to support cigarette production. CDC will additionally require its fund managers to ensure that their portfolio companies with legacy tobacco connections agree a schedule for phasing out any tobacco farming interests.
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2008, Official Report, column 755W, on the Chain Reaction conference, (a) from which budget line his Department’s funding for the conference was taken, (b) what the development impact and outcomes of the conference were and (c) how many people attended. [239811]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The Chain Reaction conference was funded as part of the Department for International Development’s (DFID) remit (under the 2002 International Development Act) to promote awareness of global poverty.
The organisers will shortly be taking forward an analysis of the event’s impact and outcomes, including drawing together information on the new ideas that the conference has inspired. The speakers and attendees
from business, Government, third sector, development focused non governmental organisations and youth initiatives agreed 138 written commitments to take forward on a range of issues, including new partnerships between developed and developing countries. All of these can be viewed at the Chain Reaction website:
www.chain-reaction.org
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid the Government (a) has channelled and (b) plans to channel to those displaced by violence and conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [239264]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before Prorogation.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [239322]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time before prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238935]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The information requested is as follows:
(i) The average number of working days lost to sickness absence in the Department for International Development (DFID) from 1999 onwards, are shown in the following table:
| Average working days lost to sickness absence | |
| Number | |
We do not have information prior to 1999.
DFID has a target of 5.5 average working days lost to sickness absence by the end of December 2008.
(ii) During the period 1997 to present, DFID has had three non-Departmental public bodies (NDPBs):
Overseas Service Pensions Scheme (OSPS) Advisory Board was wound up on 1 October 2005;
Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board was wound up on 1 April 2008;
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is still in operation.
None of the non-departmental public bodies employed any staff.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether food and drink on sale to staff of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds. [237421]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development has a staff restaurant in each of its two UK offices. These are contracted out to an external provider, and the contract includes a subsidy towards the operating costs.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239061]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before Prorogation.
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will place in the Library an electronic copy of his Department’s Performance Reporting Information System for Management database. [239813]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before Prorogation.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information his Department holds on the (a) sex, (b) ethnicity, (c) age, (d) disability, (e) sexual orientation and (f) religion or belief of its staff; and what assessment he has made of his Department's performance against its targets in each respect. [238482]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) carries out a diversity monitoring analysis annually on its staff covering sex, ethnicity, age and disability. In the first quarter of each year DFID's Management Board review progress on the key diversity challenges identified for the preceding year and sets priorities for the year ahead.
The following table shows how DFID's senior civil service performed in 2008 against the Cabinet Office and DFID targets.
| Percentage | ||
| Civil service 2008 targets | DFID 2008 target | DFID 2008 performance |
DFID plans to review the process of collecting and assessing information on sexual orientation and religion or belief once the Single Equality Bill becomes an Act.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff in his Department have received gifts valued at £100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received in each case. [239634]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before prorogation.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much surplus land his Department owns; and what the (a) area and (b) estimated monetary value of each site is. [236420]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development has no surplus land.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many departmental posts are (a) established and (b) filled in military stabilisation support teams in Helmand province. [239897]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [238952]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The information requested is as follows:
(a) DFID has spent the following since 2000 on advertising and publicity figures; figures prior to this date are not available. 98 per cent. of this expenditure has been for procurement and recruitment reasons.
| Spend (£) | |
| Note: Final figures for 2008 are not yet available. | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1811W—continued
(b) DFID has one non departmental public body The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission which has spent the following on publicity and advertising:
| Spend (£) | |
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been in the last 12 months. [238172]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before Prorogation.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the budget for food and entertainment in his Department was in (a) 2005, (b) 2006 and (c) 2007. [237021]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The budgets for food and entertainment in the Department for International Development in the last three financial years were as follows:
(a) 2005-06: £623,353
(b) 2006-07: £545,284
(c) 2007-08: £514,962
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department uses the Royal Mail as the primary company for sending its post, parcels and packages. [238116]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) uses the Royal Mail as its primary company for sending post.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238991]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before Prorogation.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract. [239637]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: During the 2005 to 2008 financial years DFID aborted 32 procurements. These were almost entirely tenders for business on behalf of developing country recipients, whose priorities and plans sometimes change after tendering action has started. DFID has made no payments to bidders in respect of nugatory work. The only costs are the staff resources we deployed on aborted processes. Records of these costs are not routinely disaggregated between each tender, and could not be calculated without disproportionate effort.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the progress of the International Health Partnership towards improving maternal health. [239319]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time before Prorogation.
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will place in the Library a copy of the comparative study of the effectiveness of different multilateral institutions referred to on page 11 of his Department’s Efficiency Technical Notes. [239812]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: A copy of the comparative study of the effectiveness of different multilateral institutions referred to on page 11 of the Department for International Development’s Efficiency technical notes will be placed in the Library and can be found at:
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/efficiency-technical-note.pdf
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the global financial situation on global food prices. [239317]
Mr. Ivan Lewis:
World cereal prices have declined substantially over the last few months, with wheat falling
the most by 60 per cent. to $248 from its peak in March. The current financial crisis is a potentially important factor, but this is currently empirically unproven. Other important factors include record 2008 harvests, the steep drop in world crude oil prices, and appreciation of the US dollar.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation suggest that if current difficulties in access to finance continue, next season's plantings and output could be affected, leading to another price increase in 2009 and further food insecurity. While global prices may continue to fall until the end of the year, the economic slowdown could reduce yield growth as producers spend less on irrigation, fertilisation, and other inputs necessary to boost yields.
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department takes to ensure that aid to India is delivered in a non-discriminatory manner, with particular reference to the Dalit peoples. [237915]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development's (DFID) programmes in India conform to the non-discrimination provisions of the Indian Constitution. DFID supports specific government strategies, such as positive discrimination and provision of incentives, which are used to benefit disadvantaged groups. DFID tracks the impacts of its programmes on different social groups and women to make sure these strategies are working.
For example, in the DFID-supported elementary education programme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, greater resources are allocated to districts with a high concentration of Dalits, and free text books and school uniforms are provided to socially-excluded groups. Dalit teachers are recruited to encourage Dalit students to enrol, stay in school and get the most out of their time there. Dalit children's share in elementary enrolments improved from 18.6 per cent. to 19.9 per cent. between 2006 and 2007. Similarly, the DFID-supported Reproductive and Child Health Programme has a specific aim to increase access to quality health services for the most socially excluded. As a result of this programme, the percentage of institutional deliveries among women increased by 30 per cent. between 2006 and early 2008, a large proportion of whom are Dalits as the programme specifically targets Dalit women.
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will publish a list of all bilateral projects for which his Department has provided funding at or above the level of £100,000 in each of the last three years. [238494]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before Prorogation.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with reference to the answer of 13 June 2007, Official Report, column 1082W, on Lebanon, on how many occasions in the last five years his Department has funded National Audit Office missions to countries which receive UK financial assistance. [239963]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before prorogation.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department takes to ensure that investments abroad, through (a) CDC Group and (b) other bodies do not use with offshore tax regimes that are designated as harmful by the EU Code of Conduct. [238736]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before Prorogation.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2008, Official Report, column 669W, on overseas aid, what assessment he has made of the UK's progress towards meeting the UN target of 0.7 per cent. of gross national income being spent on overseas development aid by 2013. [238765]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time before prorogation.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, column 1325W, on environment protection: overseas aid, what criteria he uses to judge improvements in forest governance; and what performance indicators have been established for the voluntary partnership agreement. [238530]
Mr. Thomas: Permanence can be monitored by use of satellite imagery, aerial photographs and ground surveys. Improvements in permanence are influenced by the effectiveness of enforcement of regulations and by the quality and frequency of monitoring.
The Parties to a Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement will establish a joint mechanism to facilitate the monitoring and review of the Agreement. The parties will consider any matter relating to effective implementation of the Agreement. In particular the parties will:
Recommend the date upon which the FLEGT licensing scheme should be fully operational;
Review reports issued by the Independent Monitor on assessment of the effectiveness of the legality assurance scheme;
Assess the social, economic and environmental impacts of this Agreement, in accordance with relevant good practice and criteria to be agreed by the parties and address any issues raised as a result of the assessment;
Publish an annual report on progress in implementation of the Agreement.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken to inform eligible 18 to 25 year olds about the Platform2 volunteering programme. [238766]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: Platform2 was launched in February 2008. It is implemented on behalf of the Department for International Development (DFID) by Christian Aid in partnership with Islamic Relief and the British Universities North America Club (BUNAC). Platform2 focuses on less advantaged young adults, so priority has been placed on ensuring effective steps are taken to inform eligible young people about the programme.
These steps include: Publicising the scheme through Further Education colleges, education and youth media, and Connexions and Jobcentre Plus. Music artists popular with young people have also been used to support and promote the scheme.
Platform2 volunteers also play a key role in publicising the programme through talks in their local communities, and use of local and online media to place stories about their experiences. A free-phone information line enables interested young people to talk to returning volunteers.
A series of roadshows around the UK from January will further promote the programme to the target audience.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2008, Official Report, column 1326W, on Pakistan: overseas aid, what steps he has taken to raise £10 million from the private sector; and at what cost. [238531]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: With support from the Department for International Development (DFID), the State Bank of Pakistan has started the process of mobilising funds from the private sector for micro finance. Two licences have been issued to micro finance banks to begin raising funds from international investors. Under one of these licences a consortium of commercial banks is already negotiating a loan of over £10 million, although as previously stated, resources from the private sector have not yet started to flow. It is anticipated that private sector funds will be provided at the prevailing interest rate, which is currently 15 per cent.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008, Official Report, columns 112-3W, on Pakistan: overseas aid, what mechanisms will be used to monitor progress in macroeconomic policy in the area of general budget support. [238759]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: A number of monitoring mechanisms will be used to assess macroeconomic policy, including regular visits from the IMF assuming that a stand by facility is agreed. These will consider issues such as fiscal and external balances. We will also assess economic reporting provided both by the Government of Pakistan and the World Bank.
A comprehensive mechanism will be put into place with the World Bank and others in order to assess the Government of Pakistan's public financial management systems into which budget support is provided. This is a standard mechanism used in a number of countries, known as a Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008, Official Report, columns 112-3W, on Pakistan: overseas aid, what assessment he has made of the accessibility of semi-formal financial services in Pakistan. [238760]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) has financed an access to finance survey, which has shown that access to both formal and semi-formal financial services to the poor has expanded by approximately a third during the last year. Of the 1.7 million micro finance users 61 per cent. are presently supported by semi-formal financial sources. However, the trend in Pakistan is moving towards more formal financial services. DFID's Financial Inclusion programme is helping providers of semi-formal financial services to either become formal banks or strengthen their capacity to access commercial funding.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1816W—continued
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment his Department has made of the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. [239318]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time before prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239050]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before prorogation.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the water, sanitation and hygiene programme in Sierra Leone. [239324]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) launched a £32 million nationwide Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme for Sierra Leone in February this year. The programme is a joint effort with the Government of Sierra Leone, UNICEF and a number of NGOs. DFID is required to carry out annual assessments on all its support programmes over £1 million. In line with requirements, a comprehensive Annual Review of progress against the objectives of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme will be carried out in February 2009.
DFID has been monitoring the use of funds disbursed to date, to key partners including UNICEF for programme activities. Our support has so far provided training and logistical support to staff in the Ministry of Health to monitor community-led total sanitation (CLTS)
programmes, as well as improving hygiene, sanitation and water supplies in Districts like Port Loko in the Northern Region, Kenema, Kailahun, Kono in the Eastern Region and in the Western Area of Freetown.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2008, Official Report, column 570W, on South America: research, which companies have been contracted to work on the scoping study; in which country each company is based; and what the value is of each contract worth over £20,000 to work on the study. [238758]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development has co-funded with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) scoping studies related to Climate Change Adaptation research in Asia and Latin America.
Fundacion Futuro Latinoamericano (FFLA) lead the scoping work related to Latin America and the Caribbean. FFLA sub-contracted other organisations in South America to undertake different parts of the study. Contracts over £20,000 were issued to Recursos e Invetigacion para el Desarrollo Sustentable—Chile (£40,467.56), The Cropper Foundation—Trinidad and Tobago (£33,303.78) and the Latin American Centre for Competitiveness and Sustainable Development—Costa Rica (£27,818.80).
Other contracts issued by FFLA less than £20,000 in value related to the scoping study are listed in the following table.
| Country | |
|
Regional Committee for Hydraulic Resources In Central America, CRRH | |
|
Network for Social Studies on Disaster Prevention in Latin America. LARED | |
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of progress towards increasing levels of primary school enrolment in South East Asia. [239321]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time before Prorogation.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008, Official Report, columns 115-6W, on Sub-Saharan Africa: infant mortality, on what projects the £6 billion allocated to health systems and services between 2008 and 2015 will be spent; and how much of that money will be spent in Sub-Saharan Africa. [238761]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: DFID has laid out how it will support work on health in its strategy ‘Working together for better health’, which was published last year, and how we will tackle HIV and AIDS in this year's updated AIDS strategy ‘Achieving Universal Access’. Both strategies are on the DFID website
www.dfid.gov.uk
DFID's overall country allocations for the next three years were presented in its annual report 2008, published in May. The annual report also sets out our commitment to spend £3 billion of development assistance in Africa by 2010-11. Individual country allocations for health and HIV and AIDS will be determined through discussions with other donors, partner governments and other stakeholders to ensure DFID aid is delivered in the most efficient way.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 116W, on Sub-Saharan Africa: poverty, what his assessment is of the progress which has been made towards meeting the first Millennium Development Goal in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2015. [238762]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: Sub Saharan Africa has made progress towards meeting the millennium development goals (MDGs): headcount poverty fell from 55.7 per cent. in 1990 to 50.3 per cent. in 2005. However, this rate of progress is not fast enough to halve poverty by 2015.
Detailed assessments are provided by the United Nations, which monitors progress towards the MDGs and reports yearly. The 2008 report is available at
www.un.org/millenniumgoals.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008, Official Report, columns 115-6W, on Sub-Saharan Africa: infant mortality, which countries are planned to receive the 20 million insecticide-treated bed nets in the next three years; and how many will go to each country. [238763]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: We expect that the countries that will receive the 20 million insecticide treated bed nets over the next three years will include Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mozambique. The actual number for each country will be determined by country needs and take into account the role of other partners such as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.
John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan is upheld during the run up to the Sudanese elections in 2009. [232161]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: Support to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is at the heart of UK Government engagement in Sudan.
The Department for International Development (DFID) is working closely with the British embassy to support implementation of the CPA in the run up to the elections. Elements of our support are highlighted as follows:
We support the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC)—the body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the CPA. A senior UK ambassador—Sir Derek Plumbly—is now the chair of the AEC. The UK chairs the Security Working Group of the AEC and has a large programme in support of implementation of CPA security protocols, including security sector reform.
Between 2005 and 2008, we contributed £49.6 million to the two Multi-donor Trust Funds (National and Southern Sudan). These Funds are the primary mechanisms for donor support for the priority reconstruction and development needs of war affected regions in Sudan. We have pledged a further £63 million to these Funds for the second half of the interim period, 2008 to 2011.
We have worked intensively to resolve crisis points in the CPA. For example, following the conflict in Abyei in June 2008, we worked with the international community to establish the Abyei road map. DFID funding will support construction of the new Abyei administration and the police headquarters.
We provide support to address the underlying drivers of conflict in Sudan. For example, we plan to set up a Peace Building Fund for the conflict sensitive areas along the disputed border (£750,000 in 2008) and piloted innovative approaches to community security and arms control in Jongiei state in Southern Sudan (£1.7 million in 2008).
We provide support to ensure that the key CPA milestones are met. In 2008, DFID provided £3.1 million in support of Census preparations and monitoring. In 2007-08, we provided technical assistance to the National Constitutional Review Committee (NCRC) to revise the electoral law. We have also supported the establishment of the National Elections Commission (NEC) through UNDP.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress his Department has made on a financial aid package to help the Turks and Caicos Islands deal with the effects of Hurricane Ike. [238370]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID), jointly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has indicated a willingness to provide up to £5 million to support post Hurricane Ike priority reconstruction needs.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much financial aid his Department has given to the Turks and Caicos Islands since Hurricane Ike in September 2008. [238371]
Mr. Ivan Lewis:
The Department for International Development (DFID) provided £200,000 in post-hurricane humanitarian relief, comprising £110,000 through the International Red Cross for the Turks and Caicos Red
Cross Society to supply emergency shelter, sanitation and general relief, and £90,000 to the Pan-American Health Organisation for emergency health and water systems.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Protracted Relief Programme in Zimbabwe. [239323]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time before prorogation.
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the operation of the academies programme in the London Borough of Bexley. [225925]
Jim Knight: There are currently two open academies in Bexley.
The Bexley Business Academy opened in 2002. It was formally assessed by Ofsted in March 2007 when inspectors judged it provided a satisfactory standard of education and was an improving school. Achievement overall was judged to be satisfactory. Its leadership and management were judged to be good, as were governance, pupils’ care, guidance and support, personal development and well-being.
The second academy, Harris Academy Falconwood, opened this September, and a third is due to open in September 2009, sponsored by the Haberdashers’ Federation and Temple Grove Trust.
Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of levels of truancy in academies in each of the last three years, broken down by age group. [237657]
Jim Knight: The Department does not maintain records of “truancy”. Information is collected on unauthorised absence.
Unauthorised absence is absence without leave from a teacher or other authorised representative of the school. This includes all unexplained or unjustified absences, such as lateness, holidays during term time not authorised by the school, absence where reason is not yet established, and truancy.
Comparable information showing the number and percentage of unauthorised absence in academies in each of the last three years, broken down by age group, cannot be provided within the timeframe required by Parliament. The requested information will be placed in the House of Commons Library within 10 working days.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the (a) percentage and (b) percentage point change was in the number of people studying for AS or A-level qualifications was in each parental income decile in each of the last five years. [226043]
Jim Knight: The information required is not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Information on the number of students in schools and their achievement by IDACI (Income Deprivation Affecting Children Indices) decile in 2006/07 can be found in the following Statistical First Release (SFR):
“DCSF: National Curriculum Assessment, GCSE and Equivalent Attainment and Post-16 Attainment by Pupil Characteristics, in England 2006/07”
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000759/index.shtml
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children who had ever been in care while at their present school were in their school's gifted and talented cohort in each of the last five years. [235582]
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1821W—continued
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children who had ever been in care while at their present school were in their school's gifted and talented cohort on the latest date for which figures are available, broken down by local authority. [235583]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children have been taken into care in each year since 1997, broken down by reasons for being taken into care. [236541]
Beverley Hughes: The number of children that have been taken into care in each year since 2001, broken down by reasons for being taken into care can be found in the following table.
Information going back to 1997 is not available. This is due to an introduction of new category of need codes in 2000 on the Children Looked After system which are used to identify the reason for being taken into care.
| Children who were taken into care during the years ending 31 March by category of need( 1,2,3,4,5,6) years ending 31 March 2001 to 2008. Coverage: England | ||||||||
| Number | ||||||||
| ( 5) 2001 | ( 5) 2002 | ( 5) 2003 | ( 6) 2004 | ( 6) 2005 | ( 6) 2006 | ( 6) 2007 | ( 6) 2008 | |
| Source: (1) SSDA903 return on children looked after. Notes: (2) Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements. (3) “Children taken into care” are children who started to be loo ked after under the following legal status: interim or full care orders, police protection or emergency protection or child assessment orders. They exclude children freed for adoption or for whom a placement order was granted, they exclude children under voluntary accommodation and they also exclude children under youth justice legal statuses. (4) Historical data may differ from older publications. This is mainly due to the implementation of amendments and corrections sent by some local authorities after the publication date of previous materials. (5) Figures are taken from the SSDA903 one-third sample survey. (6) Figures are taken from the SSDA903 return which, since 2003-04 has covered all children looked after. (7) It is the most applicable category of the eight “Need Codes” at the time the child was taken into care rather than necessarily the entire reason they are looked after. | ||||||||
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many looked after children there were in each (a) ward and (b) lower layer super output area in each of the principal seaside towns in England in the last year for which figures were available. [238294]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Information on the number of looked after children in each (a) ward and (b) lower super output area in each of the principal seaside towns in England is not collected centrally by the department. The lowest level of information available is by Local Authority.
Information on the number of looked after children at 31 March by Local Authority for the last 5 years can be found in table LAA1. This table is taken from the
Statistical First Release (SFR 23/2008) entitled “Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2008”.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgatewav/DB/SFR/s0Q0810/index.shtml
Table LAA1 can be found within the first set of additional excel tables.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2008, Official Report, column 1067W, on children in care: crime, how much has been spent on the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders since its inception. [236336]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what steps he is taking to improve the performance of local authority care systems in preventing looked-after children from offending; [238086]
(2) if he will put in place strategies to assist local authorities in their capacity as corporate parents to prevent children in their care becoming involved in crime. [238113]
Beverley Hughes: Government requires local authorities to collect data on the incidence of offending by children aged 10 or over in their care that have been looked after continuously for at least a year to contribute to the national statistics collection about outcomes for looked after children. Local authorities use this information to improve their performance in reducing offending by children in their care.
As part of our programme to deliver the commitments set out in the Care Matters White Paper, my Department we will be producing revised guidance to local authorities with information on their responsibilities for preventing offending by looked after children.
The care plan for a child in care and the pathway plan for a care leaver must include a clear strategy setting out how the young person will be supported to prevent any repetition of offending behaviour. Placement decisions, especially where residential care is being considered, must take account of the quality of support and supervision given to children to ensure that they are engaged in constructive activities enabling them to enjoy and achieve and do not have any opportunity to get caught up in anti-social behaviour of offending.
We would expect local authority children's services to establish real constructive relationships with local youth offending teams.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of children and adolescents in care homes who had mental health problems in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority. [236947]
Beverley Hughes: Information on the number of children and adolescents in care homes who had mental health problems in each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority is not currently collected centrally by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
However, table A3, taken from the Statistical First Release (SFR 23/2008) entitled “Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2008,”shows the number of children in residential care homes at 31 March for each year from 2004 to 2008. The SFR is located at
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsqateway/DB/SFR/s000810/index.shtml
and table A3 can be found within the first set of Excel tables on the website. Information is not readily available for the number of children in residential care homes for earlier years and can only be provided at a disproportionate cost. Information on number of children in residential care homes could be produced at a Local authority level however the numbers would be very small and disclosure rules would result in the vast majority of the figures having to be suppressed.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children's homes there were in each of the principal English seaside towns in each year for which figures are available; and how many children were in each home in each year. [238920]
Beverley Hughes: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to my hon. Friend and a copy of her reply has been placed in the Library.
Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for a response.
Ofsted assumed responsibility for the regulation of children's homes in April 2007. Annual data about the number of children's homes and places prior to that point are only available at a national level, and can be obtained from the annual reports of the Commission of Social Care Inspection.
The table below displays the number of children's homes and the maximum number of places available in each of the principal English seaside towns in 2007 and 2008. These data were taken from figures available at the end of March 2007 and March 2008, and only include children's homes that were active at those points. Ofsted does not hold data on the number of children in a particular home. Therefore, the table includes the total number of registered places (aggregated for each town).
A copy of this reply has been sent to the right hon. Beverley Hughes MP, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, and will be placed in the Library of both Houses.
| Number of children's homes and total number of registered places in principal seaside towns at end of March 2007 and end of March 2008 | ||||
| End of March 2007 | End of March 2008 | |||
| Principal seaside towns | Children’s homes | Maximum p laces | Children's homes | Maximum places |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1825W—continued
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what support his Department makes available for child mentoring schemes; and if he will make a statement. [236950]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department for Children, Schools and Families funds several programmes which support the learning and development of child mentors. These include:
Keeping Young People Engaged programme, which supports education, training and employment-based mentoring for young offenders. The Department currently supports this programme through the Youth Justice Board and it is delivered through Youth Offending Teams across the country.
Learning mentors, supported through the Children’s Workforce Development Council. Learning mentors usually work in educational settings with pupils of all abilities who need help to overcome difficulties that are getting in the way of their learning.
Academic mentoring, which is provided to some schools in City Challenge areas: London, Greater Manchester and the Black Country. This support is brokered through City Challenge Advisers who work with schools in challenging contexts based on the specific needs of the school and its pupils.
Business mentoring for 14-19 Diploma students, the Department has a contract with the National Education Business Partnership Network to develop and promote business mentoring for 14-19 Diploma students.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) whether pupils from overseas who are boarding in UK boarding schools will be included on the ContactPoint database; [237362]
(2) what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to publicise the ContactPoint database to parents; [237363]
(3) what advance notice parents will receive about when their children's details are to be loaded on to the ContactPoint database; [237364]
(4) what information parents will receive about applying for their children's information to be shielded on the ContactPoint database; [237365]
(5) whether children's visits to NHS accident and emergency departments will be recorded on ContactPoint; [237366]
(6) pursuant to the Answer of 12th November 2008, Official Report, column 1267W, on children: databases, if he will publish the results of the local shielding analysis of each local authority; and if he will make a statement. [237388]
Beverley Hughes: In response to question 237362, ContactPoint will contain basic identifying information about all children and young people ordinarily resident in England up to their 18th birthday, and contact details for services working with them. ContactPoint will not hold information on children from overseas unless that child has a current residential address in England.
If information is provided to ContactPoint on such a child, by a boarding school in England, the system will flag the record for review by the local authority ContactPoint management team and, once it has been confirmed that the information is for a child permanently residing outside England, the data will be moved to archive. The system submitting the information will receive an automated “stop notice” asking them not to provide the information when it attempts to send this data again.
In response to questions 237363 and 237364, all data controllers who process personal information are under a duty to inform those whose data they are processing, that they are doing so - this is called a fair processing notice. The Department has included ContactPoint in its submission to the Information Commissioner's Office “Register of Data Controllers”, which contains the name and address of data controllers and a description of the kind of processing they do.
The Department and local authorities are making information available to children, young people and their parents/carers, using a range of channels and mechanisms, such as direct mailing to households (where practicable), at points of service and public areas (for example, libraries), on websites and through the media. Materials include: ContactPoint leaflets, fact sheets and
Q&As (including young people's versions) and scenarios to demonstrate how ContactPoint will work in practice; from a service user perspective.
Activity is already taking place across England. For example, for the past two academic years, schools have included ContactPoint in their Fair Processing Notices to parents/young people. Information has also been available on websites. Activity is also underway in local authorities and will increase as each LA introduces ContactPoint. In response to 237365, the information available to parents and young people will include information about shielding: that a shielding facility exists on ContactPoint, that there are criteria about when it is appropriate to apply a shield, and that a young person, parent or carer will be able to contact their local authority if they have reason to believe their child's record should be shielded on ContactPoint.
In answer to question 237366, individual visits made by a child to A&E will not be recorded, but the fact that a child has had an involvement with a hospital’s A&E department might be recorded if, in the treating clinician’s professional judgment, other practitioners or organisations with access to ContactPoint need to be aware of that involvement. We will be working with clinicians in the ContactPoint early adopter sites and will continue discussions with the Department of Health to ensure that guidance is developed to promote best practice in this area.
In response to question 237368, we have no plans to publish the results of the shielding analysis currently underway in all local authorities in England. This analysis, which is expected to be completed by the end of November, is intended to support local authority and local partner planning and operational activity.
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his latest estimate is of the number of users who will have access to the Contact Point database. [240014]
Beverley Hughes: Previous and current estimates have indicated that potential authorised users of ContactPoint could range from 220,000 to 480,000. Our current statistical modelling based on the latest work force analysis predicts there will be around 390, 000 authorised users of ContactPoint.
ContactPoint has been developed in response to Lord Laming’s inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié. Its purpose is to support early intervention and prevention by enabling practitioners to identify and contact other practitioners who are providing a service to a particular child and family. ContactPoint contains no case information.
Access will only be granted to those who need it as part of their work. Users will only be authorised once they have had stringent security checks, including enhanced Criminal Records Bureau clearance and mandatory training which will cover the importance of security and good security practice. They will only be able to access ContactPoint with a password, a PIN and a security token to access ContactPoint. All access will be continuously audited and monitored.
The number of authorised users will ultimately be determined by what local authorities and national partners judge is the minimum necessary to enable effective communication between professionals.
John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding will be available to (a) Leeds West constituency and (b) Leeds Metropolitan district under the free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work scheme; and if he will make a statement. [238775]
Beverley Hughes: The free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work programme is supported through £75 million of funding for the period 2008-2011. The programme will be piloted in 67 local authorities, including Leeds City Council. The programme is aimed at lower income couple families where one parent is working and the second parent is not working and wishes to undertake training on route to employment. Funding will not be allocated at local authority level. It will be allocated by places taken.
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding will be provided to (a) Romsey constituency, (b) the City of Southampton and (c) Test Valley borough under the free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work scheme; and if he will make a statement. [239845]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department has taken to ensure that schools provide appropriate support for children diagnosed with diabetes; and if he will make a statement. [235891]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department has allocated for expenditure on support for children diagnosed with diabetes in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [235894]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of three to five year-olds in (a) Carshalton and Wallington constituency, (b) Greater London and (c) England were living in (i) workless households and (ii) relative poverty in each of the last 10 years. [224968]
Kitty Ussher: I have been asked to reply.
The number and percentage of three to five-year-olds living in workless households is estimated using the Annual Population Survey (APS) and Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS and LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. At constituency level estimates are based on very small sample sizes and the margin of uncertainty is very large. Constituency level estimates are therefore deemed unreliable for practical purposes.
APS datasets are only available from 2004 and constituency estimates are derived from this source due to insufficient sample numbers in the LFS. For London and England, estimates are provided from both the APS (back to 2004) and LFS (back to 1997). Estimates from the APS are based on a larger sample and are therefore more robust than estimates from the LFS.
The LFS is a quarterly survey and the household datasets which are used to produce the data on children in workless households are only available once a year in the April to June release.
Accompanying each estimate is a confidence interval which means that from all samples possible there would be 95 per cent. certainty that the true estimate would lie within the lower and upper bounds.
Figures for households are based on working age households. A working age household is a household that includes at least one person of working age; that is a woman aged 16 to 59 or a man aged 16 to 64.
| Table 1: Number of children aged three to five in working age workless households in Carshalton and Wallington constituency, London and England, January to December in each year 2004-07 | |||
| Estimate | Lower Bound | Upper Bound | |
| Table 2: Proportion of children aged three to five in working age workless households in Carshalton and Wallington constituency, London and England, January to December in each year 2004-07 | |||
| Percentage | |||
| Estimate | Lower Bound | Upper Bound | |
| n/a = data not available to avoid the disclosure of individuals. Note: Numbers of children in working age workless households have been rounded to the nearest 1,000 children. Proportions of children in low income households have been rounded to the nearest 0.1 percentage point. Source: Annual Population Survey. | |||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1830W—continued
| Table 3: Number of children aged three to five in working age workless households in Carshalton and Wallington constituency, London and England, April to June in each year 1997 to 2008 | |||
| Carshalton and Wallington | London | England | |
| Table 4: Proportion of children aged three to five in working age workless households in Carshalton and Wallington constituency, London and England, April to June in each year 1997 to 2008 | |||
| Percentage | |||
| Carshalton and Wallington | London | England | |
| n/a = denotes data not available to avoid the disclosure of individuals. Notes: 1. Numbers of children in working age workless households have been rounded to the nearest 1,000 children. Proportions of children in low income households have been rounded to the nearest 0.1 percentage point. 2. The table is not adjusted for households with unknown economic status. 3. Percentages are based on children living in working age households with known economic status. Some individuals on the LFS within the household have unknown economic status. Source: Labour Force Survey | |||
The Government's preferred measure of relative low income poverty for children is defined as being in a household with a household income of less than 60 per cent. of the contemporary median income on a ‘Before Housing’ cost basis.
Specific information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in ‘Households Below Average Income 1994/95-2006/07’.
The data source does not allow us to provide robust numbers for estimates below the level of Government office region or inner and outer London for the London Government office region. Information on the numbers of children below 60 per cent. of national contemporary median income is set out in the following tables. Three survey year averages are given as robust single year estimates for regions cannot be produced because of volatility in estimates.
| Table 5: Numbers (million) and proportions of three to five-year-olds living in households below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income for England and London (Before Housing costs) | ||||
| England | London | |||
| Number (million) | Proportion (percentage) | Number (million) | Proportion (percentage) | |
| Notes: 1. Low income statistics are based on Households Below Average Income data. 2. Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by sampling error and variability in non-response. 3. The reference period for Households Below Average Income figures is single financial years. Three sample years have been combined for London as regional single year estimates are subject to volatility. 4. The income measures used to derive the low income estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication ‘Households Below Average Income’ series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or “equivalised”) for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 5. The low income figures are based on OECD equivalisation factors. 6. Low income figures have been presented before Housing costs, which is consistent with the child poverty PSA target. For before Housing costs, housing costs (such as rent, water rates, mortgage interest payments, structural insurance payments and ground rent and service charges) are not deducted from income. 7. Numbers of children in low income households have been rounded to the nearest 100,000 children, while proportions of children in low income households have been rounded to the nearest percentage point. 8. Totals may not sum due to rounding. | ||||
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in each year group have opted out of the National Child Measurement Programme in each year since its inception. [237220]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) was established in 2005 and is an important part of the ‘Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives’ strategy. The NCMP aims to weigh and measure all children in reception year (four to five years old) and year 6 (10 to 11 years old) in primary schools.
The rates of participation for each year group for the first two years of the NCMP are as follows:
2005-06: 57 per cent. for reception year (297,600 children measured); 42 per cent. for year 6 (240,800 children measured).
2006-07: 83 per cent. for reception year (435,927 children measured); 78 per cent. for year 6 (440,489 children);
The results for 2007-08 will be published in December 2008.
Records are not kept of the reasons that children give for not participating in NCMP, so further detail cannot be provided. Reasons include parents taking up the option to withdraw their child from the programme, children themselves choosing not to take part or being unable to participate due to sickness absence.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will estimate the number of children living in poverty who are not entitled to free school meals; and if he will make a statement. [236316]
Beverley Hughes: It is estimated that around half of children living in poverty are not entitled to free school meals.
Free school meals are available only to children whose parents/guardians are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
Income Support
Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related)—from 27 October 2008
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Families in receipt of Child Tax Credit will also qualify provided that (a) they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit, and (b) their annual income, as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs does not exceed £15,575 as at 6 April 2008 (subject to annual review).
Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Child poverty is defined as children living in families with equivalised income before housing costs below 60 per cent. of median household income. This is measured using data from the Family Resources Survey, and figures are published annually in Households Below Average Income.
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance other than that relating to the Criminal Records Bureau checking procedures he provides on the measures for schools to take to ensure the safety of their students. [234652]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how many referrals to social services were made where there was a concern about a child's safety in the year ending March (a) 2004, (b) 2005, (c) 2006, (d) 2007 and (e) 2008; [237698]
(2) how many children were on the child protection register in the year ending March (a) 2004, (b) 2005, (c) 2006, (d) 2007 and (e) 2008. [237699]
Beverley Hughes: Information on the number of referrals of children to children's social care services is shown in table 1. The reason for the referral is not collected centrally by the Department.
| Table 1: Referrals of children to children's social care services( 1)( ,)( 2) , years ending 31 March 2004 to 2008—England | ||||
| Numbers | Percentages | |||
| All referrals during year | of which: Referrals within 12 months of a previous referral( 3) | All referrals during year | of which: Referrals within 12 months of a previous referral( 3) | |
| (1)Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 if they exceed 1,000 and to the nearest 10 otherwise. (2)Figures for referrals include unborn children. (3)Re-referrals relate to a previous referral to the same authority only. Source: CPR3. | ||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1834W—continued
Information on the number of children who are subject of a Child Protection Plan is shown in table 2.
| Table 2: Children subject of a Child Protection Plan (CPP), by gender. Years at 31 March 2004 to 2008—England | ||||||||
| Numbers( 1) | Percentages( 2) | Rate per 10,000 children aged under 18 years | ||||||
| All children( 3) | Boys | Girls | Boys | Girls | All children( 3) | Boys | Girls | |
| (1 )Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 if they exceed 1,000 and to the nearest 10 otherwise. (2 )Percentage calculations exclude unborn children. (3) The “all children” figures include unborn children. Source: CPR3. | ||||||||
The latest figures on the numbers and percentage of children subject to Child Protection Plans or placed on the Child Protection Register were published in a Statistical First Release (SFR) 24/2008 "Referrals, Assessments and Children and Young People who are the subject of a Child Protection Plan, England—Year ending 31 March 2008" on 16 September 2008. A copy of this release is available on my Department's website
www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government has taken to reinforce child protection in schools in the last 12 months. [238196]
Beverley Hughes: In 2007 new guidance on “Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education” came into force. The guidance sets out the responsibilities of all local authorities, schools and FE colleges in England to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
New regulations came into force in 2007 strengthening the provisions under which individuals who have committed sex offences against children are automatically entered on List 99 and barred from working in schools and other education settings. In the past 12 months, the Government have also made significant progress towards the implementation of the new vetting and barring scheme, which will further strengthen the system for preventing unsuitable adults from working with children, including in schools.
In October 2008 Sir Roger Singleton, chair of the Independent Safeguarding Authority, was asked to lead a review of safeguarding arrangements in independent school, non-maintained special schools and boarding schools. The review will examine the practical operation of the current statutory and non-statutory safeguarding arrangements that apply to independent schools, non-maintained special schools and boarding schools in the maintained, non-maintained and independent sectors in England. Sir Roger expects to conclude his work in February 2009.
In April 2008, Ministers at the DCSF wrote to local authorities and schools to remind them of their responsibilities in relation to the issue of forced marriage and of the materials and guidance already available. In June 2008, new materials on forced marriage were launched specifically for schools and for young people to raise awareness of forced marriage. These were sent to all secondary schools, pupil referral units, local authorities and Local Safeguarding Children Boards. New draft guidance on forced marriage was published for consultation in July 2008. The consultation closed in October, and the new statutory guidance was launched on 25 November.
Within schools, staff have powers to bar people from their premises if they consider them a threat or a nuisance. We have also started a series of regional conferences (late 2008 to early 2009) on Partnership Working to Keep Pupils Safe which is aimed at schools, police and local authorities. We have an ongoing programme of work to prevent and tackle the bullying of children. Our guidance, “Safe To Learn”, advises schools on tackling bullying related to ethnicity, sexuality, disability and cyberbullying. We are funding the Anti-Bullying Alliance and national strategies to ensure this work is embedded in schools.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment his Department has made of the recommendations of the report of the Thanet Inquiry in respect of looked after children and vulnerable young people being placed out-of-county by local authorities. [238658]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many Part 8 reviews into child deaths there have been in each local authority area in each of the last five years. [239806]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much the Children’s Commissioner for England has spent on external (a) public relations and (b) public affairs in the last 24 months; and for what purposes. [233541]
Beverley Hughes: The Children’s Commissioner for England published his Annual Report and Accounts for 2007-08 in July 2008, copies of which were laid before Parliament and are available in the House Library.
Sue Berelowitz, the Deputy Children’s Commissioner at 11 Million, will write to the right hon. Member with more detailed information in response to this question and a copy of her reply will also be placed in the House Library.
Mrs. Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether the forthcoming Children's Workforce Strategy will include any cross-cutting themes. [238036]
Beverley Hughes: The Children's Workforce Strategy will set out how the Government will work with partners to secure improvements and to support the workforce to 2020. It will look at cross-cutting issues right across the workforce, as well as at the need for progress within individual sectors. Particular cross-cutting themes will include:
supply, recruitment and retention;
excellence in practice; and
integrated working.
Mrs. Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when his Department plans to publish the Children's Workforce Strategy. [238094]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many Christmas functions (a) he, (b) officials from his Department and (c) officials from its executive agencies (i) hosted and (ii) attended in 2007-08; what the cost to the public purse was; and if he will make a statement. [226963]
Ed Balls: The Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) did not host any Christmas functions in 2007, but did host two celebratory events in January 2008, which I attended. The cost of these events was approximately £2,350.
I also attended six Christmas functions in 2007-8. The cost of attending these functions is not readily available and gathering this information would be at a disproportionate cost
Information on events hosted or attended by either (a) DCSF officials or (b) our executive agencies is also not readily available and gathering this information would be at a disproportionate cost.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department has spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months. [237492]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruit to be served by his Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers. [239546]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average pupil- to-teacher ratio in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in York was in each year since 1996/97. [237267]
Jim Knight: The following table provides the pupil/teacher ratio in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools in York local authority and England, in each January, 1997 to 2008.
| Pupil:teacher ratios( 1) in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools, 1997 to 2008, York local authority and England | ||||
| Primary | Secondary | |||
| As at January each year | York | England | York | England |
| (1) The within-school PTR is calculated by dividing the total FTE number of pupils on roll in schools by the total FTE number of qualified teachers regularly employed in schools. Source: Annual School Census. | ||||
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department has taken to improve its arrangements for co-ordination with other Government departments of policy affecting coastal towns in the last two years. [238648]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry:
The Department is part of a cross-departmental working group that was established in February 2008 that is providing a forum for improving cross-government understanding of the challenges and
opportunities facing coastal towns, including the impact of existing policy approaches and mechanisms in improving regeneration and economic development outcomes.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1838W—continued
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its non-departmental public bodies in each year since its inception; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [239140]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the cost to his Department of provision of office facilities to (a) special advisers and (b) press officers (i) was in the last 12 months and (ii) has been since 1997-98. [231691]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether food and drink on sale to staff of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds. [237410]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department for Children, Schools and Families does not directly subsidise, from public funds, the food and drink that is on sale to staff. However, it does pay its catering supplier an annual management fee to cover their costs in delivering the service. The Department does not retain information on its agencies at official premises.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department’s non-departmental public bodies in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239138]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department’s Executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office “Public Bodies” publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House and from my Department’s website at:
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/ndpb.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239139]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what sanctions are available in cases of departmental staff found to have committed disciplinary offences; and how many times each has been used in each of the last three years. [230209]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many employees in his Department have taken early retirement since its inception; and at what total cost. [238964]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department and its predecessor have spent on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years. [237437]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many staff in his Department have received gifts valued at £100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received in each case. [239636]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) memory sticks, (b) laptop computers, (c) desktop computers, (d) hard drives and (e) mobile telephones were (i) lost by and (ii) stolen from his Department in each year since its inception. [234093]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Equipment reported as lost, missing or stolen in the financial year 2007/08 is as follows:
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |||
| (i) lost | (ii) stolen | (i) lost | (ii) stolen | |
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much surplus land his Department owns; and what the (a) area and (b) estimated monetary value of each site is. [236433]
Jim Knight: The Department has no surplus land to report on.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since its inception; and at what cost in each year. [239082]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239141]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years. [237322]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Two civil servants support the advisers in my office, providing administrative support of a non-political nature in accordance with the “Code of Conduct for Special Advisers”.
Individual civil servants’ salary details are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individual concerned. Office costs will be accounted for in the 2008-09 Cabinet Office Annual Resource Accounts.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been in the last 12 months. [238165]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department and its predecessors spent on entertainment and hospitality in each year since 1997. [239986]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people recruited by his Department in 2007-08 were aged over (a) 55 years and (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case. [235236]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department was formed as part of the machinery of government changes announced on 28 June 2007. Figures are available from 28 June 2007 to 31 October 2008. The information is set out as follows:
| Number/percentage | |
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the total amount the staff of each (a) agency and (b) non-departmental public body within his responsibility were paid in bonuses in 2007-08. [230982]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: All non-departmental public bodies for which the Department of Children Schools and Families have responsibility for have their own remuneration and reward systems within public sector pay policy, and information is not kept centrally. The information could be established only at disproportionate costs.
The Department has no agencies.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239661]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent on (a) salaries and (b) bonuses for staff in his Department in 2007-08. [239855]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by his Department on pensions of its previous employees in 2007-08. [239851]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether his Department uses the Royal Mail as the primary company for sending its post, parcels and packages. [238122]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department for Children, Schools and Families principally contracts with the following organisations for sending post, parcels and packages:
1. The Royal Mail—Letters.
2. Parcelforce—Parcels.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1842W—continued
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [238985]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract since the inception of his Department. [239687]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since its inception; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239044]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department spent on (a) entertainment, (b) advertising and promotion and (c) public relations consultancy in 2007-08. [228084]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which regional offices have responsibilities for delivering (a) funding and (b) services relating to policy objectives set by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [237154]
Ed Balls: The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) works with all nine of the English regional Government Offices.
Each year my Department specifies its expectations of Government Offices in the delivery of DCSF policies and priorities. For 2008-09 these include supporting the
implementation of the Children's Plan, Every Child Matters and achievement of the
DCSF currently delegates £92 million of programme funding to Government Offices in support of these objectives.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2008, Official Report, column 1585W, on education, if he will provide a breakdown of the funding allocated to each programme listed in Table 1. [233078]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Table 1 lists the programmes aggregated under the “Other Miscellaneous” title and their corresponding projected allocations for 2008-09, as shown in the 2008 departmental annual report
| Table 1: List of Other Miscellaneous Programmes | |
| £ million | |
|
Inclusion Programmes/Behaviour/Aim higher/Alternative provision | |
|
Governors/Admissions/Independent State Schools/Travel Advisers/School Meals | |
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families under what circumstances his Department may terminate its education maintenance allowance contract with Liberata. [226046]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The LSC contracts with Liberata UK Ltd to carry out the helpline, assessment and payment function. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he has taken to improve communications between the administrators of the education maintenance allowance (EMA) and (a) members of the general public and (b) hon. Members calling on the EMA MP helpline. [235309]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and manage the contract for EMA delivery with Liberata. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member for Cotswold with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question 235309 that asked:
“What steps he has taken to improve communications between the administrators of the education maintenance allowance (EMA) and (a) members of the general public and (b) hon. Members via the EMA MP Helpline.”
The LSC has a dedicated EMA micro-site within directgov and this acts as the primary communications channel to members of the public. We also encourage Learner Support staff in colleges and other learning providers to disseminate information to learners.
Since January 2008 the LSC has been publishing a monthly e-bulletin to keep colleges and learning providers informed of developments in Learner Support. This is sent to over 4000 colleagues. A dedicated provider website has also been in operation since January 2008 which acts as a single point of contact for regular operational updates.
There is no arrangement to host an EMA MP helpline.
The LSC have provided regular updates on delivery issues, and progress made to address this, to the Minister of State for Schools and Learners Rt Hon Jim Knight MP, and the Children, Schools and Families Committee has been kept informed.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will consider extending the deadline for education maintenance allowance (EMA) applications for applicants who have been unable to submit EMA applications owing to the technical and administrative difficulties experienced in (a) accepting and (b) processing them. [235310]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and manage the contract with Liberata for the processing of EMA applications and the delivery of EMA payments. Mark Haysom, the LSC's Chief Executive, has written to the hon. Member for Cotswold with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question 235310 that asked: "If he will consider extending the deadline for education maintenance allowance (EMA) applications for applicants who have been unable to submit EMA applications owing to the technical and administrative difficulties experienced in (a) accepting and (b) processing them."
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) are currently working hard to improve the speed with which EMA applications are processed and learners notified of decisions. Part of the action which has been taken by the LSC is to ensure that sufficient supplies of paper applications are available, through learning providers, schools and colleges, to learners wishing to apply for EMA.
As in previous years, EMA applications are accepted during the entire Academic Year. Normally the LSC allows later applications, i.e. ones received after the start of a course, to be backdated to the start of a course when the application is received within 28 days of the start date.
However, in an effort to ensure that no learner is disadvantaged by the present administrative difficulties the LSC temporarily extended the backdating rules for the scheme. Any learner applying for EMA before 31 October 2008 would have their allowance backdated to the start of their course.
The LSC will, as in previous years, consider any cases that do not fall within this timescale as part of their case review arrangements.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what sanctions he plans to impose on Liberata for failing to make education maintenance allowance payments on time; and if he will make a statement. [237372]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The helpline, assessment and payment function for EMA will be transferring to Capita from 28 November 2008. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Yeovil with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many students have (a) received a notice of entitlement for the education maintenance allowance, (b) successfully enrolled and (c) received at least one payment since September 2008. [239469]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Mark Haysom the LSC’s Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library,
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what (a) contractual and (b) other penalties will be imposed on Liberata in respect of its administration of education maintenance allowances. [238072]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The helpline, assessment and payment function for EMA will be transferring to Capita from 28 November 2008, Mark Haysom, the LSC’s chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what percentage of applications for education maintenance allowance (EMA) for 2008-09 have been recorded on the new EMA IT system; [237292]
(2) how much was spent on the new education maintenance allowance IT system in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09. [237293]
Jim Knight:
This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), Mark Haysom,
the LSC's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member for Putney with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1847W—continued
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many surplus places there were in (a) secondary and (b) primary schools in each local authority area in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. [238341]
Jim Knight: The Department collects information from each local authority on the number of surplus places through an annual survey. The most recent data published relates to the position as at January 2007. There was no data collection in 2002 to allow for a change from the MOE (More Open Enrolment) method of assessing capacity to the Net Capacity method which was introduced in 2003.
Tables showing the number of surplus places in both primary and secondary schools by local authority area in 2001 and from 2003 to 2007 have been placed in the Library for viewing.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what comparative assessment he has made of the academic achievement of pupils living in (a) overcrowded housing, (b) temporary housing, (c) social housing and (d) private housing; [237263]
(2) what (a) number and (b) proportion of children living in (i) overcrowded and (ii) temporary accommodation obtained five or more GCSEs at grade C or above in the last year for which figures were available; and if he will make a statement. [237262]
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his estimate is of the number of unregulated and unregistered educational institutions in England used by local education authorities. [240011]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Dr. Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the cost of extending free school meals to (a) children in families in receipt of maximum tax credit, (b) all children in families in receipt of tax credits and (c) all children in families below the official poverty line. [222838]
Jim Knight:
The Department does not collect this information. The Secretaries of State for Children, Schools and Families and Department of Health announced on 24 September 2008 that pilots would be set up to test the evidence base for extending eligibility to free school
meals and to test giving free school meals to all primary children. The evaluation of these pilots will include estimating the costs of eligibility.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children are entitled to free school meals in each (a) primary and (b) secondary school in the principal seaside towns of England. [237658]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils registered as gifted and talented did not sit at least one A level examination in 2008. [239881]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how many pupils eligible for free school meals achieved three A grades at A level in 2008; [228819]
(2) how many pupils eligible for free school meals did not gain a single grade C or above at GCSE in 2008. [228837]
Jim Knight: The Department does not currently hold this information.
Attainment data with pupil characteristics will be published in December, from the National Pupil Database (NPD).
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of (a) pupils entitled to free school meals, (b) pupils not entitled to free school meals and (c) all pupils gained (i) no GCSEs and (ii) fewer than five A* to G grades including English and mathematics at GCSE in each year since 1999. [238351]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in how many comprehensive schools 50 per cent. or more pupils achieved a modern language GCSE at A* to C in 2007. [238747]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in which maintained mainstream schools no pupils at the end of key stage 4 were entered for GCSE in history in 2007. [238754]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the cost to his predecessor Department was of preparing the Answer of 17 April 2007, Official Report, columns 549-52W, on GCSE. [238755]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of pupils in the maintained mainstream sector achieved five GCSEs, including a modern language at A* to C grade in each year since 2005. [238829]
Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 19 November 2008, Official Report, column 636W.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of eligible pupils in the maintained, mainstream sector achieved five GCSEs including a modern language at A* to C in (a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001, (d) 2002 and (e) 2003. [239294]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many gifted and talented pupils (a) eligible and (b) not eligible for free school meals who obtained level 4 or above in Key Stage 2 tests in 2003 did not obtain five GCSEs at A* to C in 2007. [239861]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils (a) eligible and (b) not eligible for free school meals who (i) obtained and (ii) did not obtain level 4 in Key Stage 2 tests in 2003 did not obtain five GCSEs at A* to C in 2007. [239862]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of children obtained five GCSEs at A* to C grade including English and mathematics in schools (a) with fewer than 10 per cent., (b) with more than 20 per cent. and (c) with more than 50 per cent. free school meals pupils. [239878]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils in (a) pupil referral units, (b) alternative provision and (c) special schools obtained at least one C grade or above at GCSE in 2008. [239879]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of gifted and talented pupils did not obtain five GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and mathematics in the latest year for which figures are available. [239880]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils did not obtain at least one C grade or above in GCSE examinations in 2008. [239882]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils obtained five GCSEs at grade A* to C including English and mathematics (a) excluding and (b) including equivalents in each year since 1997. [240009]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by the General Teaching Council on (a) entertainment, (b) hospitality, (c) advertising and (d) outside consultancy in 2007-08. [239857]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent on (a) salaries and (b) bonuses by the General Teaching Council for its staff in each of the last 10 years. [239852]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which independent schools are offering diploma courses, broken down by diploma type. [225841]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many local authorities do not have any schools offering International Baccalaureate courses. [239864]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils are studying for the International Baccalaureate in maintained mainstream schools. [239865]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by the National College of School Leadership on (a) entertainment, (b) hospitality, (c) advertising and (d) outside consultancy in 2007-08. [239856]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his plans are for national indicators (a) 95, (b) 96, (c) 97 and (d) 98 following his announcement of the abolition of key stage 3 tests. [228128]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of when all National Curriculum test papers from 2008 will have been re-marked and returned to schools. [239876]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many National Curriculum test papers from 2008 schools have asked to be re-marked. [239877]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what marks were required in key stage 2 tests in (a) English and (b) mathematics to achieve a level (i) 4 and (ii) 5 in (A) 1999, (B) 2006, (C) 2007 and (D) 2008. [238348]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent on salaries of staff of Ofsted in each of the last 10 years. [239853]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1852W—continued
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by Ofsted on (a) hospitality, (b) entertainment, (c) advertising and (d) outside consultancy in 2007-08. [239860]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by Ofsted on bonuses to staff in each of the last 10 years. [239859]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the reasons are for ceasing to fund scholars from Australia, the Bahamas, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cyprus, Malta, New Zealand and Singapore after 2009. [225511]
Mr. Lammy [holding answer 10 November 2008]: I have been asked to reply.
The FCO will stop funding scholarships for developed Commonwealth countries after 2008-09 because, as the then Minister for Europe explained to the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) on 8 May 2008, column 1105W, it concluded that the Chevening and Marshall scholarship schemes better achieve its purpose of building relations with international leaders of the future.
In recognition of the value of attracting high-quality students from developed Commonwealth countries to UK institutions, DIUS will fund scholarships for students from these countries from 2009. These scholarships will be for PhD students and will be jointly funded by UK universities.
The FCO will also continue to fund Masters awards for students from the developed Commonwealth countries (except Cyprus and Malta because they are in the EU) through the Chevening scholarship scheme.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what the cost to his Department of answering parliamentary questions was in each year since 2004; [234568]
(2) how many people in his Department are employed to answer parliamentary questions. [234779]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: We do not employ anyone directly to answer parliamentary questions; it is a small part of many people’s job roles. It is not possible to estimate an equivalent cost.
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation sponsored by his Department and its predecessors has (i) amended and (ii) enhanced existing powers of entry since May 1997. [221996]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Home Office on 7 October 2008, Official Report, column 576W.
Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what enforcement actions Ofsted may take in circumstances where an early years provider is found to be inadequate; how many early years providers have been found to be inadequate on more than one occasion in the last 10 years; and which of the enforcement actions available to Ofsted have been used. [237191]
Beverley Hughes: These are matters for Ofsted. The Chief inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and copies of her replies have been placed in the Library.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) male and (b) female nursery school teachers there are. [239873]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what discussions his Department has had with London boroughs on the demand for primary school places over the next four years; and if he will make a statement. [235665]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department has held direct discussions with officials from Kingston upon Thames, a number of other London authorities, and representatives of the Association of London Directors of Children’s Services. We have begun work to evaluate the accuracy of existing forecasts and to determine to what extent actual demand might differ from these. Local authority capital allocations are based upon forecasts covering the three-year spending review period 2008-09 to 2010-11. Forecasts for future years will inform allocations for the period 2011-12 onwards.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent steps the Government have taken to improve the reading skills of children in primary schools. [239445]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Ensuring children are able to read fluently and confidently by the time they leave primary school is a key element of our strategy to raise standards in primary schools.
In response to the recommendations of the Rose Early Reading Review, we changed the national curriculum to ensure that all children learn to read through the use of systematic phonics, and produced the Letters and Sounds programme free for schools.
The Communication, Language and Literacy Development programme was also developed to implement the Rose Review recommendations and is now funding specialist work in 100 local authorities to ensure that all children experience best practice in the teaching of early reading and phonics. This programme is being extended from April 2009 to provide every authority with a specialist consultant to improve the teaching of reading.
On top of this we have the Primary Framework available online for all schools. This puts phonics at the heart of teaching reading and offers a broad range of guidance and resources to support teachers in ensuring that their teaching is personalised to the needs of every child. Local authorities and schools receive training from the National Strategies in the effective use of the framework and its supporting materials.
For those children who experience difficulty in learning to read, we are rolling out the Every Child a Reader programme. This offers a suite of literacy interventions to help children get back on track, including the highly effective Reading Recovery one-to-one programme for children with the greatest need.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent steps the Government have taken to improve the writing skills of children in primary schools. [239446]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Improving standards of children's writing is a major priority for this Government, and will be vital in ensuring we reach our public service agreement targets in 2011 for 78 per cent. of children to be reaching the expected level in English and maths.
In September this year we launched new materials called “Support for Writing” for teaching children to write across Key Stages 1 and 2. This guidance and exemplification is available online through the Primary Framework, and is based on effective teaching strategies in the areas we know children find hardest about writing at the moment. The materials focus on ensuring children make good progress in their writing through outlining incremental small steps in learning within the year and specific classroom examples of how teachers might chose to approach each step. In January 2009 we will launch “Talk for Writing” materials which provide extra guidance to teachers on how they should develop children's speaking and listening skills to improve their writing. All materials are available free and cascaded to local authorities and schools with training and support.
In addition we are now piloting Every Child a Writer, a new commitment from our Children's Plan, with funding of £25 million over the next three years. This programme aims to improve children's writing through leading teacher support for class teachers and intensive one-to-one tuition in the areas of writing children find
hardest to master. Every Child a Writer is being piloted from September 2008 in nine local authorities and is due to scale up to reach all local authorities by 2010-11.
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many primary school pupils in Suffolk of each age have been given a fixed-period exclusion in the last 12 months, broken down by reason for exclusion. [240006]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many students in independent schools have received the education maintenance allowance in each year since the allowance was introduced. [223837]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), who have operational responsibility for the education maintenance allowance (EMA) and hold the information about applications, payments and expenditure made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of fixed period exclusions were given to pupils (a) with special educational needs and (b) entitled to free school meals in (i) secondary schools and (ii) primary schools in each year since 1997. [238349]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Data on the numbers of pupils with fixed period exclusions was collected for the first time for the school year 2003/04, therefore data cannot be provided for fixed period exclusions for prior to this. Information on free school meals eligibility of excluded pupils is only available from 2005/06 onwards.
It is not possible, given the amount of analysis required, to provide a response to these questions within the timeframe required by Parliament. The requested information will therefore be placed in the Library.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils were given a fixed period exclusion in schools with (a) fewer than 10 per cent., (b) more than 20 per cent., and (c) more than 50 per cent. of pupils in receipt of free school meals in 2007-08. [239867]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) male and (b) female pupils receiving free school meals received one or more fixed period exclusions in each of the last 10 years. [239870]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Ms Barlow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils of each age have been given a fixed-period exclusion in the last 12 months, broken down by reason for exclusion. [240013]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how many children under the age of (a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 15 years were (i) temporarily excluded and (ii) permanently excluded from state schools in Leicestershire in (A) 2007 and (B) 1997; [235825]
(2) how many children under the age of (a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 15 years were temporarily excluded from state schools in Leicestershire for (i) attacking another pupil or teacher, (ii) having drunk alcohol at or before school or having alcohol with them and (iii) carrying an offensive weapon in (A) 1997 and (B) 2007; [235826]
(3) how many children under the age of (a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 15 years were permanently excluded from state schools in Leicestershire for carrying an offensive weapon in (i) 2007 and (ii) 1997. [235827]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Data on the numbers of pupils with fixed period exclusions were collected for the first time for the school year 2003-04, therefore data cannot be provided for fixed period exclusions for 1997. Prior to 2002 information was collected on the number of permanent exclusions; therefore for 1997 the Department can only provide information on the number of permanent exclusions not the number of pupils involved.
The reasons for exclusion were collected for the first time for the school year 2003-04. There is no category specifically on “carrying an offensive weapon”, this is included under the category of verbal abuse/threatening behaviour so the Department cannot determine how many exclusions involved carrying an offensive weapon. Other categories include physical assault against a pupil, physical assault against an adult and drugs and alcohol.
It is not possible, given the amount of analysis required, to provide a response to these questions within the timeframe required by Parliament. Information on the numbers and reasons for exclusions for 2003/04 and 2006/07 will be placed in the Library.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) male and (b) female teachers there are in pupil referral units. [239872]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to reduce levels of bullying in schools, with particular reference to bullying of children with disabilities. [238255]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: We have an ongoing programme of work to prevent and tackle the bullying of children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities. In May 2008 we published guidance on “Bullying involving Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities” as part of our “Safe to Learn” suite of guidance. The guidance provides schools with advice on their legal obligations in respect of children with special educational needs and disabilities. It also provides comprehensive advice on how to prevent the bullying of these children, and how to respond to bullying incidents. We are funding the Anti-Bullying Alliance and National Strategies to work with local authorities and schools to ensure the guidance is effectively implemented on the ground, and to provide challenge and support, where necessary. We will monitor the situation closely.
At the launch of the Anti-Bullying week on 13 November, the Department launched the “Make Them Go Away” DVD. This is a short film for schools which seeks to illustrate to young people the damaging impact of bullying other young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The DVD has been well received by our key stakeholders. We will encourage schools to show the DVD in assemblies and in class with a view to stimulating discussions around the issue with their pupils.
Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance his Department has issued to schools on provision of support to children with long-term conditions, particularly children with type 1 diabetes; and if he will make a statement. [239237]
Jim Knight: The Department has issued guidance entitled ‘Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Year Settings’.
This guidance, published in 2005 jointly with the Department of Health, specifically addresses what schools can do to help children with diabetes and other medical conditions, we also produced sister guidance in the same year, entitled ‘Including me: managing complex health needs in schools and early years settings’.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1857W—continued
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of training given to teachers on the needs of children with type 1 diabetes; [238276]
(2) whether he has issued guidance on the administering of injections and other treatments to children with type 1 diabetes by school teachers; [238277]
(3) what guidance he has issued to local education authorities on informing teachers about children with type 1 diabetes. [238278]
Jim Knight: This Department issued, in 2005, guidance entitled ‘Managing Medicines in Schools and Early Years Setting’. This guidance was published jointly with the Department of Health, and specifically addresses what schools can do to help children with diabetes and other medical conditions.
This guidance encourages schools and local authorities to develop local policies on the management of pupil’s medicines and on supporting pupils with medical needs, taking account of local resources and their various responsibilities. It is for schools and local authorities to set their own policy, including the training needs of staff; they should work with local health services to support pupils with medical conditions, including diabetes.
Schools may contract members of support staff to support pupils as part of their duties, for instance to administer injections. In other schools support staff and teachers may volunteer to take on such roles. In either case, the Department recommends that the school should ensure such staff receive appropriate training and are covered by appropriate insurance.
Diabetes is a recognised medical condition under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which requires schools not to treat disabled pupils less favourably; No child should miss out because of their diabetes.
The Department has made no assessment of training either made available to or undertaken by teachers on the needs of children with type 1 diabetes.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of children with diabetes who were unable to participate in school trips because of a lack of provision for their health care during such trips in the last 12 months. [239965]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of children of school age whose diabetic conditions (a) prevent and (b) reduce their attendance at school. [239966]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent discussions his Department has had with the Department of Health on steps to ensure that children with diabetes receive necessary health care when they are in school. [239967]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance his Department provides to schools on provision of healthcare to children with diabetes when they are in school. [239968]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of provision of care for children with diabetes (a) in schools and (b) on school trips. [239969]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many boys on free school meals achieved three As at A-level in the last year for which figures are available. [224880]
Jim Knight: The information is given as follows. A revised figure for all pupils eligible for free school meals has also been given which updates that given in answer to PQ 185780, 19 February 2008, Official Report, column 480W.
| Number achieving three A grades at A-level | Percentage achieving three A grades at A-level | Number of pupils entered | |
| Note: These figures relate to pupils aged 16-18, (age at start of academic year, ie 31 August 2006), in all maintained mainstream schools including academies and City Technology Colleges. | |||
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of 15 year olds (a) not entitled and (b) entitled to free school meals achieved (i) five GCSEs at A* to C and (ii) five GCSEs at A* to C including English and mathematics in each year since 1997. [225122]
Jim Knight: The proportion of pupils at the end of key stage 4 (a) not entitled to free school meals and (b) entitled to free school meals achieved (i) five GCSEs at A* to C and (ii) five GCSEs at A* to C including English and mathematics for 2007 is shown in the following table.
| Percentage | ||
| Subject | Not entitled to free school meals | Entitled to free school meals |
| Source: National Pupil Database (provisional figures) | ||
Further details can be found in the Statistical First Release ‘National Curriculum Assessment, GCSE and Equivalent Attainment and Post-16 Attainment by Pupil Characteristics in England 2006-07’
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000759/index.shtml
The equivalent figures for 2006 are shown in the following table:
| Percentage | ||
| Subject | Not entitled to free school meals | Entitled to free school meals |
| Source: National Pupil Database | ||
Further details can be found in the Statistical Release ‘National Curriculum Assessment, GCSE and Equivalent Attainment and Post-16 Attainment by Pupil Characteristics in England 2005-06 (Revised)’
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000708/index.shtml
Further information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent on (a) hospitality, (b) advertising, (c) marketing and (d) outside consultancy by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in 2007-08. [239863]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many staff in his Department left under (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by his Department. [237355]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many of his Department's staff who left under (a) an involuntary and (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since it was established received a severance package of (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if he will make a statement. [239159]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if his Department will provide funding in 2008-09 to increase emergency refuge accommodation across the UK; and if he will make a statement. [237858]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in respect of which of his Department’s public service agreements rural proofing of departmental policies is stipulated. [230738]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what funding his Department has given to the School Food Trust in each year since its establishment; and what control he exercises over the way in which such funds are used. [235960]
Jim Knight: The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has allocated grant in aid to the School Food Trust (SFT) as follows:
| £ million | |
The totals for 2007-09 include £4 million capital funding that the trust has/will pass to the new regional Food Excellence and Skills Training (FEAST) centres for school caterers as they are set up.
The DCSF’s accounting officer (its permanent secretary) has appointed the trust’s chief executive as accounting officer for the SFT. As with all non-departmental public bodies, the Department works with the SFT accounting officer, agreeing a three-year corporate plan and annual remit, business plan and budget. Framework documents, including a financial memorandum, set out the respective roles and responsibilities of the Department and the trust in relation to a range of financial and non-financial matters, including monitoring of financial and non-financial targets.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether his Department encouraged schools to celebrate St. David’s Day in 2008. [227731]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It is important that the curriculum provides opportunities for young people to consider for themselves what it means to live in the UK today.
To ensure that young people explore their own identity and issues around diversity, a new strand was added to the Citizenship programme of study in September 2008 called ‘Identity and Diversity: living together in the UK’. Pupils are encouraged to consider these important concepts with their peers and teachers and in doing so develop their understanding of what it means to be a UK citizen..
We also supported the ‘Who Do We Think We Are?’ week in June 2008, which encouraged over 500 schools across the country to explore identity, diversity and citizenship with their pupils, in their schools, local communities and nationally.
The Department did not take any particular steps to encourage schools in England to celebrate St. David’s Day in 2008.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1502-03W, on schools: assessments, which mainstream schools did not enter any pupils for A-level history. [239025]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Answer of 16th October 2008, Official Report, columns 1502-03W, on schools: assessments, which mainstream maintained schools did not enter any pupils for A-level geography. [239026]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1862W—continued
Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many maintained schools (a) closed, (b) merged with another school and (c) closed and reopened as an independent school on the same site in each of the last 10 years. [236525]
Jim Knight: The following table sets out the numbers of maintained mainstream schools which have (a) closed or (b) merged each year under local decision making arrangements, which were introduced in September 1999. Information about decisions made under the arrangements that operated prior to September 1999 is not reliable and has therefore been excluded:
| Reason for closure | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | Total |
The table includes the reasons for closure. The numbers shown in the column headed ‘Cease to maintain’ indicate closures where the schools have not been replaced by new schools. In all other cases a replacement maintained mainstream school will have been established (sometimes on the site of a closing school), or an amalgamating school altered, to accommodate displaced pupils.
We do not hold records of the numbers of maintained mainstream schools that have closed and reopened as an independent school on the same site.
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance has been issued by his Department to (a) schools and (b) Ofsted on training of school staff to deal with emergencies relating to children with diabetes. [238413]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what funds the Government have made available for schools in deprived areas. [239447]
Jim Knight: The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) distributed to schools includes an amount for additional educational needs including deprivation and for pockets of deprivation in generally less deprived authorities.
In addition to the DSG there are additional sums that are provided to schools that have deprivation as part of the distribution methodology; these are the school standards grant (personalisation) (SSG(P)), post leadership incentive grant (Post-LIG), school lunch grant and extended schools grant.
| £ million | |
The additional grants have conditions placed upon them requiring targeting in specific ways to reach deprived pupils. Within the DSG it is for each local authority to target funding to deprived pupils in schools to support their additional needs and improve their life chances. The Department for Children Schools and Families is working with local authorities to increase the proportion of the deprivation funding they receive through the DSG that is targeted to those pupils most in need.
Funding should be targeted based on pup characteristics rather than schools, and it is therefore not possible to say how much is given to schools in deprived areas as this should change annually with each budget round to meet the needs of the pupils in schools at that time - in whichever school those pupils are educated.
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate his Department has made of the amount spent by maintained schools in England on ornamental plants and seeds in the most recent year for which figures are available. [222499]
Jim Knight: The Department has not made any estimates on the amount spent by maintained schools in England on ornamental plants and seeds. We do not collect this information.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much capital funding for rebuilding and refurbishing (a) primary and (b) secondary schools the City of York Council has received (i) in the last year for which figures are available and (ii) in each year since 1979. [237059]
Jim Knight: Most capital funding allocated to local authorities and schools is prioritised locally. Accordingly, no split is held centrally on what proportion is allocated on (a) primary and (b) secondary schools. The Department's database includes capital allocations since 1996-97, set out in the following table.
| £million | |
| (1) This includes £22.2 million of Targeted Capital Funding. (2 )This includes £28.0 for a one school pathfinder scheme. | |
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) how many Competition Managers have been appointed; and how many he expects to be appointed during 2008-09; [224769]
(2) when he expects his Department to publish its most recent annual survey of school sport partnerships; [224973]
(3) when he expects his Department to publish its annual survey of school sport partnerships. [225684]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The full national network of 225 Competition Managers has now been appointed. We have no plans to appoint any additional Competition Managers during the rest of 2008-09.
The results of the 2007-08 School Sport Survey were published on 16 October. Copies of the results of the survey will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of educational attainment at schools in the principal seaside towns in England. [234935]
Jim Knight: Data on the attainment of pupils in English, mathematics and science at ages 11 and 14 and GCSE and equivalent qualifications is published by Government office region, local authority, district, parliamentary constituency and ward level and can be found at:
www.dcsf.gov.uk/inyourarea
We do not publish school performance data by town.
There are a number of National Challenge schools (where the proportion of pupils achieving five A*-C grades at GCSE including English and mathematics is below 30 per cent.) that are located in or near seaside towns. We are supporting the LAs concerned to develop plans to ensure these schools can improve and achieve above this level by 2011.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many Fresh Start schools have opened in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. [236538]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many Fresh Start schools are part of the National Challenge; and if he will make a statement. [236539]
Jim Knight: Eighteen local authority Fresh Start secondary schools will be supported in 2008-09 through the National Challenge or City Challenge programmes.
Although the Fresh Start initiative, which began in 1999, was generally successful in raising attainment, it has now been superseded by programmes such as Academies, the National Challenge, and City Challenge all of which aim to generate sustained secondary transformation. Primary Schools are still eligible for Fresh Start.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what action the Government has taken to improve standards in schools in deprived areas. [239448]
Jim Knight: The Government’s school standards and school improvement strategies aim to raise standards in all schools, and thanks to a range of measures including increased investment, excellent leadership and teaching; renewed primary and secondary teaching frameworks; better use of pupil data; and the targets schools and local authorities have set for their pupils, school standards have risen substantially since 1997. These have also helped to narrow attainment gaps for disadvantaged pupils, whether or not in deprived areas.
The school funding system allows for a significant additional premium per disadvantaged pupil. Local authorities and schools with high proportions of
disadvantaged children therefore receive additional funds to help them improve standards. In addition, the Government support the City Challenge programme which aims to break the link between deprivation and educational under-achievement in London, Greater Manchester and the Black Country.
Supported by £160 million up to 2011, City Challenge aims to bring about a sharp improvement in under performing schools—particularly focusing on English and maths; an increase in the number of outstanding schools; and a narrowing of the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers. City Challenge is an expansion of the successful London Challenge programme, which Ofsted reported had a dramatic impact on London schools: reducing the number of secondary schools in special measures, maintaining GCSE results ahead of the national average and narrowing the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers more quickly than nationally.
The National Challenge programme shares the City Challenge objective to break the link between disadvantage and low attainment. The National Challenge seeks to ensure there are no schools where fewer than 30 per cent. of pupils achieve five good GCSEs including English and mathematics by 2011. Over the next three years, we are investing £400 million in the National Challenge, which builds on the successful London Challenge approach in providing bespoke support for schools facing some of the most significant challenges across the country. As in City Challenge areas, National Challenge schools serve areas where pupils are more likely than average to come from deprived backgrounds—as shown by eligibility for free school meals. None the less, since there are many schools in similarly adverse socio-economic conditions where more than 30 per cent. of students gain five good GCSEs including English and mathematics, deprivation should not be seen as an excuse for low achievement.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1866W—continued
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children (a) walked, (b) cycled and (c) were driven to school in each of the last five years according to school census returns. [235584]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department does not hold complete data relating to mode of travel to school. Provision of this information is only compulsory for those schools with an approved Travel Plan. The scope of collection includes: maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools, city technology colleges, academies and special schools.
In the spring 2007 school census, mode of travel data was supplied for almost 70 per cent. of pupils. In the spring 2008 school census, mode of travel data was supplied for just over 85 per cent. of pupils. The available information relating to maintained primary, state-funded secondary and all special schools is provided in a table which has been placed in the Library.
Mr. Gibb:
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether the guidance document Home to school travel for pupils requiring special arrangements (reference: LEA/0261/2004) and the 2007
report by his Department's predecessor. Procurement of home to school transport services for children with Special Educational Needs in London, are still in use. [239444]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: “Home to School Travel for pupils requiring special arrangements” (ref: LEA/0261/2004) is still in use and can be downloaded from www.teachernet. gov.uk search by its reference or title. Hard copies can be obtained from the Department's publications centre by phoning 0845 602 2260 or email dfes@prolog.uk.com.
The report “Procurement of home to school transport services for children with Special Educational Needs in London” is in use, only available from www.teachernet. gov.uk, and can be found by searching using the report's title.
Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many notifications his Department and its predecessor sent to each of the schools inspectorates under the automatic transfer arrangements in relation to (a) independent and (b) maintained schools in each year since April 2005; and how many notifications his Department and its predecessor received from independent and grant maintained schools in each such year. [238396]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many unfilled secondary school places there were in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire on the latest date for which figures are available. [237126]
Jim Knight: The Department collects information annually from each local authority on the number of surplus places which exist within maintained schools, via the Surplus Places Survey. The most recent data available relate to the position as at January 2008.
At January 2008 the number of unfilled places in maintained secondary schools within Hemel Hempstead was 836 (11 per cent.), and the number of unfilled school places in maintained secondary schools within Hertfordshire was 8,644 (10 per cent.).
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what programmes are in place to educate secondary school pupils on the dangers of illegal drugs. [238046]
Jim Knight: All maintained secondary schools must teach about the effects of drugs and drugs misuse as part of the National Curriculum Science Order. We expect schools to deliver drug education through the non-statutory personal well-being programme of study which provides a context for schools to fulfil their legal responsibilities to promote the well-being of pupils and provide a programme of drugs education.
We have issued comprehensive guidance to schools to help them deliver more effective drugs education. The guidance makes it clear that teachers should be the main providers of drug education and maintain responsibility for the overall drug education programme in their schools. It is for schools and local authorities to decide whether to use particular resources or programmes of study to support the overall drug education programme in their schools.
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he expects to implement the changes to the presumption in favour of school sixth forms set out in paragraph 4.21 of the Raising Expectations White Paper; and if he will make a statement. [239964]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will estimate the number of 16 to 17-year-olds entitled to free school meals who attend a sixth-form college; and if he will make a statement. [236317]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The power of local authorities to provide free meals is for registered pupils at a school, this is covered by Section 512 of the Education Act 1996. If a pupil is eligible for free school meals then the local authority or school governors have a duty to provide the lunch free of charge. Every registered pupil at a school is entitled to free school meals if they or their parents qualify under Section 512. This includes sixth formers in a school but does not apply to pupils at a sixth form college, or in further education, as these establishments are not classified as schools. The number of sixth form pupils aged 16 and 17 who are eligible for free school meals is shown in the table.
| State funded secondary schools and special schools( 1,2) : Number of 16 and 17-year-old sixth form pupils eligible for free school meals( 3 ) as at January 2008—England | |||
| Number of roll( 3) | Number of pupils eligible for free school meals | Percentage of the school population( 4) | |
| (1) Includes CTCs and academies. (2) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools, excludes general hospital schools. (3) Pupils aged 16 and 17 following national curriculum year 12, 13 and 14; includes dual registrations. (4) Percentage of pupils aged 16 and 17 in national curriculum years 12, 13 and 14 eligible for free school meals. Includes dual registrations. Source: School Census. | |||
Chris Ruane:
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what rules apply to the out-of-county placement of vulnerable (a) adults and
(b) children; what procedures are employed to monitor such placements; and how the costs of such placements are shared. [238299]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many complaints were made against children's social services departments in each London borough in the latest period for which figures are available. [236460]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many maintained special schools there were in each year since 1997. [226439]
Jim Knight: The numbers of maintained special schools are shown in table A1 of the following statistical first release: ‘Pupil Characteristics and Class Sizes in Maintained Schools in England’:
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000786/NationalTablesWeb.xls.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what progress has been made in developing a project to test ways of improving the system of providing accessible versions of text books for blind and partially sighted pupils. [227390]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Good progress has been made on the accessible resources pilot project. The invitation to tender was advertised and circulated to interested organisations on 22 September. The deadline for bids is 11 November and interviews will take place in December, with the project commencing in early 2009.
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what sign language qualifications a communication support worker working with deaf children is expected to hold; and what measures are in place to ensure all communication support workers hold such a qualification. [227392]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: We do not specify minimum competence in signing for teaching assistants or communication support workers but we would expect them to assist teachers with mandatory qualifications during lesson times by providing educational support for deaf and hearing impaired children.
All schools receive a school development grant which they are able to use to support improvements in any aspect of teaching and learning and it is for individual teachers and their schools to determine their own particular
training and development needs. Local authorities may also retain a proportion of this grant, under conditions, to provide specific training and development of Special Educational Needs.
We are committed to providing a suitable education for all children. In the Children’s Plan we announced new resources to increase the number of teachers taking mandatory qualifications for teaching deaf and hearing impaired children, with some free places available from September 2009.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of 14 year-olds-he expects will be enrolled on a diploma course in 2013; and if he will make a statement. [238346]
Jim Knight: It is too early for us to know how many or what proportion of 14 year olds will be enrolled on a Diploma course in 2013. The national entitlement will come into effect from September 2013, which will ensure that the right provision, including Diplomas, will be in place for all young people across England.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the estimated cost is of providing diploma courses for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, (c) 2010-11 and (d) 2011-12. [239866]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) male and (b) female pupils of each ethnicity (i) receiving and (ii) not receiving free school meals are studying one or more diploma courses. [239871]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils have been entered for diploma qualifications in Suffolk. [240004]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of children attending (a) language, (b) sports, (c) technology and (d) arts specialist schools are eligible for free school meals. [237153]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The requested information is given in the following table.
| School meal arrangements( 1) ; position as at January 2008—England | ||||||
| Number of schools | Number of pupils (used for FSM calculation) | Number of pupils taking free school meals( 2) | Percentage of pupils taking free school meals | Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals | Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals | |
| (1) Includes pupils with sole and dual registration of all ages. (2) Number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census in January. Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Census | ||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1872W—continued
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recurrent additional capital funding specialist schools receive to support their specialism; and if he will make a statement. [236540]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 900W, on specialist schools: languages, which specialist schools have chosen languages as one of their specialisms. [238854]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 900W, on specialist schools: science, which specialist schools have chosen science as one of their specialisms. [238855]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will investigate the time taken to process applications for student support in the London Borough of Barnet; and if he will make a statement. [226241]
Jim Knight:
This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for
Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about applications made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Hendon with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many Sure Start children's centres have opened in Stoke-on-Trent since the scheme's inception; and if he will make a statement. [239491]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many qualified (a) teachers and (b) male teachers under the age of 60 years are not currently teaching. [239868]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many teachers in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools were male in each year since 1997. [240018]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many teachers worked in maintained schools in Crosby constituency in 1997; and how many do so in 2008. [236673]
Jim Knight: The following table provides the number of full-time equivalent teachers employed in local authority maintained schools in England, January 1997 and 2008.
| Full-time equivalent teachers in local authority maintained schools, 1997 and 2008, Crosby constituency and England | ||
| As at January : | Crosby constituency( 1) | England( 2) |
| (1) Source: School Census. (2) Annual Survey of Teachers in Service and Teacher Vacancies, 618 g. Notes: 1. Includes qualified and unqualified teachers. 2. Excludes academies and city technology colleges. 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. | ||
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average starting salary (a) inside and (b) outside London was for newly qualified teachers in each of the last 10 years. [235110]
Jim Knight: The following table provides the average salary of newly qualified entrants to full-time teaching in local authority maintained schools in London, outside London and England, in each March 1998 to 2007.
| Average salary of newly qualified entrants( 1) to full-time teaching in local authority maintained schools: Years 1998 to 2007—Coverage, London, outside London and England | |||
| £ | |||
| London | Outside London | England | |
| (1) Includes all new entrants to maintained schools in England, qualifying in England or Wales in the calendar year prior to the date shown, including SCITT and OU but excluding those qualifying through employment based routes. (2) Provisional Note: Figures are pounded to the nearest £10 Source: Database of Teacher Records and The General Teaching Council | |||
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average salary of state school teachers in Crosby constituency is. [236675]
Jim Knight: The information requested is not available at constituency level.
The average salary of full-time qualified teachers in local authority maintained schools in Sefton local authority was £32,250.
Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many teachers will have received a payment from the Teachers' Pension Scheme in 2008 by the end of the year. [231125]
Jim Knight: Data on numbers of members, including pensioners, is available in the published Teachers’ Pension Scheme Resource accounts, which are available in the House of Commons Library (reference HC872).
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many new (a) female and (b) male teachers have entered the teaching profession in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools in 2008 to date. [228008]
Jim Knight: The information is not available in the format requested.
Figures for the number of teachers gaining qualified teacher status in calendar year 2005 via undergraduate and postgraduates routes by type of service, phase, age and gender in March 2006 are published in table C1 of the School Workforce Statistical First Release, January 2007 (Revised) at the following web link:-
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000743/Addition_C_DOU.xls
March 2007 figures will be available at the end of November.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many qualified teachers have left the maintained sector since 1997. [239869]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many days off sick were taken by teachers on account of stress-related illnesses in each year for which figures are available. [226483]
Jim Knight: The information requested is not collected centrally.
Information the number of full-time and part-time teachers taking sickness absence, and the total number of days taken by length of absence is collected by the Department. The information available has been published in table 14 of the School Workforce Statistical First Release, January 2008 at the following web link:-
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000743/SFR29_2007_FinalTables1-17_Updated_10_Qct.xls
A summary for calendar years 2000 to 2007 has been published in table 13 of the School Workforce Statistical First Release, January 2008 at the same web link.
Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many unfilled teaching jobs there have been at (a) primary school level and (b) secondary school level in (i) Cornwall and (ii) England in each year since 1979. [239012]
Jim Knight: The information is not available in the format requested.
The following table provides the number of full-time vacancies in local authority maintained nursery/primary and secondary schools in Cornwall local authority and England, January 1979 to 2008.
| Full-time vacancy( 1) numbers in local authority maintained nursery/primary and secondary schools—years: 1979 to 2008: Coverage: Cornwall local authority and England | ||||
| Nursery/Primary | Secondary | |||
| Cornwall | England | Cornwall | England | |
| (1) Advertised vacancies for full-time permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration). Includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis of less than one (2) Include sixth form colleges. (3) Includes grant maintained schools. Excludes academies and city technology colleges. England figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Annual Survey of Teachers in Service and Teacher Vacancies, 618g | ||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1876W—continued
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent by the Training and Development Agency on (a) entertainment, (b) hospitality, (c) advertising and (d) outside consultancy in 2007-08. [239858]
Ed Balls: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent on (a) salaries and (b) bonuses for staff of the Training and Development Agency in each year since its establishment. [239854]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils classed as persistent truants were absent from school for more than (a) 100 sessions, (b) 150 sessions, (c) 200 sessions, (d) 250 sessions and (e) 300 sessions of school in the 2007-08 academic year. [239874]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils have had (a) one, (b) two and (c) more than five unauthorised absences in the latest year for which figures are available. [239875]
Jim Knight: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many truancies expressed in days there were in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Wiltshire in each of the last three years. [234120]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether volunteers will have to pay (a) the £28 fee to cover the costs incurred by the Independent Safeguarding Authority and (b) the £36 fee to cover the costs of the Criminal Records Bureau as administrator of applications for registering with the Independent Safeguarding Authority. [236578]
Meg Hillier [holding answer 17 November 2008]: I have been asked to reply.
Individuals in paid employment will pay £64 when applying for registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). The one-off application fee is composed of two elements—£28 to fund the running of the ISA and £36 to pay for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) administration and, in most cases an Enhanced Disclosure will be included. Those involved only in unpaid voluntary activity will pay no application fee.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of people enrolled on an entry to employment programme have applied for education maintenance allowance since June 2008; and if he will make a statement. [225087]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about applications made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Yeovil with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people enrolled on an entry to employment programme have had education maintenance allowance payments delayed because of technical problems; and if he will make a statement. [225088]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about applications made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member for Yeovil with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question 225088 that asked:
“How many people enrolled on an entry to employment programme have had education maintenance allowance payments delayed because of technical problems.”
From 30th June to 14th November 16,811 learners received EMA through the Entry To Employment programme. It is not possible to identify how many of this group have experienced delays due to technical problems.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many local authorities allow people enrolled on an entry to employment programme to apply for education maintenance allowance online; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the online application process; and if he will make a statement. [225089]
Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about applications made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for Yeovil with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many first time entrants aged between 10 and 17 years to the criminal justice system there were in (a) Chelmsford local authority area and (b) Essex County Council area in each of the last five years. [238563]
Beverley Hughes: Data on the number of first time entrants to the criminal justice system is provided at the local authority level rather than at district or unitary authority level. The number of first time entrants aged 10 to 17 in Essex local authority over the last five years is outlined as follows:
| Financial year | Number | Rate per 100,000 10 to 17-year-olds( 1) |
| (1) Rounded to the nearest 10. | ||
The number and rate of first time entrants aged 10 to 17 to the criminal justice system is based on data recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC).
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department has allocated for the training of youth workers and social service practitioners to enable the early identification of young people at risk in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [236943]
Beverley Hughes: It has not proved possible to respond in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors he took into consideration when deciding to (a) include deposits at Bradford and Bingley (Isle of Man) in his arrangements to transfer Bradford and Bingley deposits to Banco Santander and (b) exclude Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander (Isle of Man) deposits from his arrangements to transfer Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander deposits to ING Direct; and if he will make a statement. [233555]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 6 November 2008]: Bradford and Bingley's Isle of Man operation was a subsidiary of Bradford and Bingley plc. When the Government took Bradford and Bingley into temporary public ownership, it automatically acquired the shares in Bradford and Bingley's Isle of Man subsidiary. These were subsequently transferred to Abbey National plc.
Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander Isle of Man is a subsidiary of the Icelandic parent company, not of the UK sister company. The Treasury's powers to transfer shares in and property of a bank only applies to a UK authorised deposit taker and (to a much more limited extent) its subsidiaries. The powers do not permit the Treasury to transfer shares in or property of the subsidiary of a foreign owned bank.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what unilateral actions the UK can take to discourage the use of offshore financial centres by (a) persons domiciled in the UK for tax purposes and (b) UK-registered companies. [237712]
Mr. Timms: The Government are committed to tackling offshore tax evasion by UK tax residents, whether individuals or companies. The key objective is to ensure effective exchange of information between tax authorities.
Most of the actions taken by the Government to improve information exchange are part of multilateral initiatives, such as the OECD Harmful Tax Practices initiative and the EU savings directive.
However, the UK is also acting unilaterally. Following the success of its 2007 Offshore Disclosure Arrangements, which led to the collection of £400 million in unpaid tax, HM Revenue and Customs is continuing discussions with the banking industry with the aim of obtaining further offshore account information on UK residents.
In addition, the UK operates a tax avoidance disclosure regime, under which tax avoidance schemes must be disclosed to HM Revenue and Customs in accordance with strict rules that enable users of schemes to be identified.
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will include deposits by charities in Icelandic banks in any arrangements designed to secure UK deposits in such banks. [227941]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 17 October 2008]: The Government have put in place arrangements to ensure that all FSCS-eligible depositors in the Icelandic banks of Landsbanki, Heritable and Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander will receive their money in full. If a charity is eligible to claim compensation from the financial services compensation scheme, it will be entitled to benefit from these arrangements.
Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the United Kingdom's support for an International Monetary Fund loan to Iceland is conditional on an agreement with the Icelandic authorities on deposits held in Icelandic banks by UK citizens and corporations. [236121]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 17 November 2008]: On 19 November the IMF announced the approval of a $2.1 billion two-year loan for Iceland to support an economic recovery programme to help Iceland restore confidence in its banking system and stabilise its currency. This includes Iceland's commitment to the principle of fair, equal and non-discriminatory treatment of creditors and Iceland's recognition of its obligations to depositors under its Deposit Guarantee Scheme.
John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will require lenders to seek financial assistance from the Government or the Bank of England to provide a plan and timescale for how they intend to meet the needs of low income customers; if he will put in place a transparent reporting mechanism to measure progress against such plans; and if he will make a statement. [233109]
Ian Pearson: On 8 October this year the Government announced a comprehensive package of measures to support stability of the financial system, protect ordinary savers, depositors, businesses and borrowers, and to safeguard the interests of the taxpayer.
As part of its investment, the Government have agreed with the banks supported by the recapitalisation scheme a range of commitments. Details are available at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_105_08.htm
These include agreements to make available affordable products during this period of global turbulence in financial markets, help individuals struggling with their mortgage payments stay in their homes and support the expansion of financial capability initiatives.
As announced in the pre-Budget report, the Government have committed a total of £80 million to a Growth Fund to expand the capacity of third sector lenders to provide affordable credit to financially excluded customers. Since July 2006, over 110,000 loans totalling over £50 million, 85 per cent. of which were to new customers, have been made to financially excluded customers through Credit Unions and Community Development Finance Institutions funded by the Growth Fund.
In addition, in December 2007, the major retail banks made a commitment to support third sector affordable credit, including actions to develop new provision in the 25 high priority areas identified by the Financial Inclusion
Taskforce. The Government now seek to build on this commitment from the banks and ensure that clear plans are in place in each of the high priority areas.
Some households on low incomes will also be able to access affordable credit through the Social Fund. The Social Fund provides a safety net of grants and loans for the most vulnerable in times of crisis, supporting those without a stock of savings and assets to fall back on.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the operation of the Banking (Special Provisions) Act 2008; and what recent representations he has received on the Act. [229503]
Ian Pearson: As the Chancellor explained to the House on 14 October2008, Official Report, column 694, the Banking (Special Provisions) Act 2008 has provided the Government with necessary powers to maintain financial stability and to protect consumers and taxpayers during exceptional times in financial markets.
In preparing the Banking Bill as a permanent replacement to the powers in the Act that lapse in February 2009 the Government have sought to refine and develop these powers. This has involved extensive consultation with stakeholders.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1881W—continued
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to protect deposits made in international banks by British citizens; and if he will make it his policy that such proposals be included in arrangements for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. [239416]
Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the paragraph 3.50-3.51 of the 2008 pre-Budget report.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government have taken in light of the inclusion of (a) Bank Mellat (UK), (b) Bank Saderat plc and (c) Bank Tajerat (London) in the letter of 1 August 2008 (SI2008/520) from the Permanent Representatives of France, the United Kingdom and the United States to the President of the UN Security Council. [239499]
Ian Pearson: The letter of 1 August 2008 from the Permanent Representatives of France, the United Kingdom and the United States to the President of the UN Security Council provides a list of banks domiciled in Iran and their branches and subsidiaries abroad in order to facilitate the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1803. UNSCR 1803 calls upon all states "to exercise vigilance over the activities of financial institutions in their territories with all banks domiciled in Iran, in particular with Bank Melli and Bank Saderat, and their branches and subsidiaries abroad, in order to avoid such financial support contributing to proliferation sensitive nuclear activities".
The Government have taken comprehensive steps to implement these vigilance requirements in the UK, in relation to both UK subsidiaries of Iranian banks and transactions with any other Iranian bank. The UK
made a significant contribution to the development of Council Regulation (EC) 1110/2008 which implements the vigilance requirements of UNSCR 1803 throughout the EU. The regulation requires enhanced vigilance over activity with Iranian banks, additional information in payment instructions, enhanced record-keeping, and establishes a new requirement on financial institutions to report transactions they suspect are related to proliferation finance. It also requires reporting of all transfers of funds by Bank Saderat plc.
The UK has also worked with international partners to secure common standards of implementation of the vigilance requirements of UNSCR 1803 for all members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), including those outside the EU.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Bank of England on the re-introduction of capital controls requiring commercial banks to increase deposits held with the Bank of England. [239516]
Ian Pearson: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings and discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions.
Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether banks participating in the Government's recapitalisation scheme will be required not to issue dividends in the next 12 months. [230103]
Ian Pearson: The Government have, since the scheme was announced in October, indicated its willingness to consider early repayment of the preference shares that it holds at a price equal to 101 per cent. of par during the first six months, after the closing of the placing and open offer, and, thereafter, at a price to be negotiated based on prevailing market conditions at the time. Such repayment would be subject to FSA approval. As soon as the preference shares are repaid, payment of cash dividends would be permitted.
The banks have made clear in their public statements their intention to repay the Treasury's preference shares as soon as it is prudent to do so.
Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the International Monetary Fund and associated international loans to the government of Iceland recently negotiated include any conditions relating to the Icelandic government’s guarantees to depositors in Icelandic banks in the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. [239936]
Ian Pearson:
On 19 November the IMF announced the approval of a $2.1 billion two-year loan for Iceland to support an economic recovery programme to help Iceland restore confidence in its banking system and stabilize its currency. This includes Iceland's commitment to the principle of fair, equal and non-discriminatory
treatment of creditors and Iceland’s recognition of its obligations to depositors under its Deposit Guarantee Scheme.
Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fees were paid to (a) Morgan Stanley and (b) other third parties in relation to the sale of Bradford and Bingley's UK and Isle of Man retail deposit and branch network. [231785]
Ian Pearson: Consultancy and advisory costs are included in HM Treasury's annual Resource Accounts.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how long he plans to borrow the funds required to finance the transfer of Bradford and Bingley deposits to Abbey Santander; and what interest rate he expects will apply to such borrowing. [239601]
Ian Pearson: The funds required to finance the loan to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) that enabled the transfer of Bradford and Bingley deposits to Abbey Santander are included in the revised Central Government Net Cash Requirement (CGNCR) of £152.9 billion announced in the pre-Budget Report. Following standard practices the Government do not identify the financing of each individual component of the CGNCR. The financing plans for the revised CGNCR are shown in Table B21 of the pre-Budget Report.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the monetary value of claims upon the Financial Services Compensation Scheme which will arise from the transfer of Bradford and Bingley deposits to Abbey Santander. [239602]
Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to the hon. Member for St. Albans on 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 935W.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to release additional funds to the building society sector. [239535]
Ian Pearson: It has not proved possible to answer the hon. Member's question, of which Treasury Ministers first received notice on 24 November 2008, before Parliament is prorogued later today.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to assist smaller building societies with set-up costs in order to allow them to access the special loan liquidity scheme. [239537]
Ian Pearson: The main set-up costs that banks and building societies will incur in accessing the Government's liquidity support schemes relate to legal advice and administrative matters. The significance of these costs as a proportion of the available assistance will depend on the circumstances of each institution.
The Government are taking steps in the Banking Bill to ensure that building societies have the same access to liquidity support as banks, however it is not aware of
any instances where the set-up costs for building societies have been so prohibitive as to prevent a society from seeking to access assistance under the various liquidity schemes.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to encourage local authorities to divert investment into the building society sector. [239536]
Ian Pearson: Local authorities should continue to follow the guidance on investments issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government, available at
http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/capital/data/lginvest2.pdf
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a financial stimulus to the mortgage market, with specific reference to the operations of building societies. [239530]
Ian Pearson: In pre-Budget report 2008, the Government announced that they are establishing a Lending Panel to bring together Government, trade bodies, regulators, and industry and consumer groups to monitor lending to businesses and homeowners.
The Government are taking steps in the Banking Bill to ensure that building societies have the same access to the Government's liquidity support schemes as other financial institutions.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the estimated cost to the public purse of the new entrepreneurs relief from capital gains tax is in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; [238307]
(2) what his estimates are of the effect of the flat 18 per cent. capital gains tax (CGT) rate on CGT receipts from disposals by (a) higher rate taxpayers and (b) basic rate taxpayers of (i) business assets and (ii) non-business assets for (A) 2008-09, (B) 2009-10 and (C) 2010-11. [238308]
Mr. Timms: No such estimates are available. The latest estimate of the Exchequer yield from the capital gains tax reforms was published in the 2008 Budget Report and is available on the HM Treasury website at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/bud08_chaptera.pdf
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse of the annual £9,200 exempted amount in respect of the payment of capital gains tax in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [238309]
Mr. Timms: The estimated cost of the annual exempt amount is published in Table A3.1 of the FSBR and can be found on the HMT website at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/bud08_chaptera.pdf. Updated figures were published in Table 7 of the Tax Ready Reckoner available from Monday 24 November 2008.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of (a) the cost to the Exchequer of taper relief claimed from capital gains tax on the disposal of (i) business assets and (ii) non-business assets in each year from 1998-99 to 2007-08 and (b) the cost to the Exchequer of taper relief from capital gains tax in respect of carried interest claimed by individuals working in the private equity industry in each year from 1998-99 to 2007-08. [238858]
Mr. Timms: No such estimate has been made. The latest estimate on the cost of taper relief is published in Table 1.5 on the HMRC website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/tablel-5.pdf
An updated figure was published in Table 7 of the Tax Ready Reckoner available from Monday 24 November 2008.
Figures for earlier years can be found on the HMT website in the PBR “supplementary documents” (or “other documents published today”) section for the relevant year.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many individuals used all or part of their annual £9,200 exemption to capital gains tax in 2007-08; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of those who paid income tax at the higher rate; [238862]
(2) if he will estimate the level, based on estimated receipts for 2007-08, at which a combined personal tax allowance covering income and capital gains could be financed by abolition of (a) the separate annual capital gains tax exemption of £9,200 and (b) that exemption together with separate entrepreneurs' relief from capital gains tax. [239496]
Mr. Timms: Figures on the number of individuals using all or part of their annual exempt amount and therefore the requested breakdowns are unavailable.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what factors he took into account when deciding to set capital gains tax at a flat rate of 18 per cent; and what consideration he gave to setting capital gains tax at (a) the basic rate of income tax and (b) the individual’s marginal rate of income tax; [239497]
(2) what the reasons are for (a) maintaining the existence of a separate annual allowance for exemption to capital gains tax (CGT) and (b) the difference between the level of the CGT exemption and the annual personal allowance for income tax. [239502]
Mr. Timms: The Government take a range of factors into consideration when formulating tax policy, and keep all aspects of policy under review.
Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt domestic carbon monoxide alarms from value added taxation. [239272]
Mr. Timms:
The scope of exemptions from VAT is limited by European agreements under which it is not possible to exempt domestic carbon monoxide alarms from VAT. Similarly, under VAT agreements with our
European partners signed by successive Governments, we can retain our existing VAT zero rates (which do not include carbon monoxide alarms) but may not extend them or introduce new ones.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many nationals of each A8 country were receiving child benefit for a child or children living outside the UK at the end of September 2008; and in respect of how many such children child benefit was being paid on that date. [237404]
Mr. Timms: Around 7.5 million families are currently claiming child benefit for around 13 million children. Out of that total, at the end of September 2008, there were 26,180 child benefit awards to A8 nationals recorded as receiving child benefit for 42,759 children living in another EEA member state, which equates to around one-third of 1 per cent. of all child benefit awards. The UK makes these awards to comply with its obligations under EC social security co-ordinating regulations. The estimated breakdown by nationality is as follows:
| Country | Number of awards at 30 September 2008 | Number of children included in awards |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1886W—continued
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many nationals of each A8 country who have worked in the UK and have now left the country are in receipt of (a) child benefit and (b) tax credits. [237340]
Mr. Timms: The information requested is not available. Any person, regardless of nationality, who has left the UK permanently is not entitled to child benefit or tax credits, with the exception of those persons who continue to be in receipt of a UK contributory benefit. Such exceptions apply to UK and other EEA nationals leaving the UK for residence in another member state.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the expenditure his Department and its agencies plan to incur in relation to Christmas entertaining. [239650]
Angela Eagle: There are no plans for public funds to be used for Christmas entertaining by the Treasury or any of its agencies.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department has taken to improve its arrangements for co-ordination with other Government Departments of policy affecting coastal towns in the last two years. [238651]
Angela Eagle: The Department for Communities and Local Government leads on policy affecting coastal towns. In February 2008 a cross-departmental working group on coastal towns was set up. This working group provides a forum for improving cross-government understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing coastal towns, including the impact of existing policy approaches and mechanisms in improving regeneration and economic development outcomes.
There is also a regional development agency (RDA) led Coastal Towns Network, involving central and local government, national and coastal town networks and RDAs.
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department has taken since 1997 to increase access to credit for (a) households and (b) businesses. [234884]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 11 November 2008]: The Government have committed a total of £80 million to a Growth Fund to expand the capacity of third sector lenders to provide affordable credit to financially excluded customers. Since July 2006, almost 110,000 loans totalling £50 million, 85 per cent. of which were to new customers, have been made to financially excluded customers through credit unions and community development finance institutions funded by the Growth Fund.
Since 1997, the Small Firms Loan Guarantee (SFLG) scheme, the Government’s principal debt finance instrument, has enabled around 40,000 firms to borrow around £2.5 billion. The scheme has helped firms that would not normally be able to access the debt finance required to start and grow their business.
Lenders have a duty to lend responsibly, and the Government expect all lenders to meet the requirements of statutory regulation. The Chancellor announced at pre-Budget report 2008 that the Government are establishing a Lending Panel, bringing together Government, regulators, lenders, trade bodies and consumer groups to monitor lending to both households and businesses. The new Panel will encourage and drive up best practice in lending decisions and treatment of borrowers.
Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to regulate credit rating agencies. [238269]
Ian Pearson:
It has been recognised internationally that greater oversight to ensure implementation of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions Code of Conduct for credit rating agencies is necessary.
To meet that objective within the EU, it has been agreed that there should be enhancements to the EU's current registration regime for credit rating agencies under the capital requirements directive. The European Commission published a proposal for a new regulation on 12 November, which is now under consideration in the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament for adoption next year.
John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to ensure that low income communities have access to credit; and if he will make a statement. [238802]
Ian Pearson: As announced in the pre-Budget report, the Government have committed a total of £80 million to a Growth Fund to expand the capacity of third sector lenders to provide affordable credit to financially excluded customers. Since July 2006, over 110,000 loans totalling over £50 million, 85 per cent. of which were to new customers, have been made to financially excluded customers through credit unions and community development finance institutions funded by the Growth Fund.
In addition, in December 2007, the major retail banks made a commitment to support third sector affordable credit, including actions to develop new provision in the 25 high priority areas identified by the Financial Inclusion Taskforce. The Government now seek to build on this commitment from the banks and ensure that clear plans are in place in each of the high priority areas.
Some households on low incomes will also be able to access affordable credit through the Social Fund. The Social Fund provides a safety net of grants and loans for the most vulnerable in times of crisis, supporting those without a stock of savings and assets to fall back on.
Lenders have a duty to lend responsibly, and the Government expect all lenders to meet the requirements of statutory regulation. The Chancellor announced at pre-Budget report 2008 that the Government are establishing a Lending Panel, bringing together Government, regulators, lenders, trade bodies and consumer groups to monitor lending to both households and businesses. The new panel will encourage and drive up best practice in lending decisions and treatment of borrowers.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [239030]
Angela Eagle: Data for 2002/2003/2004/2005/2006-07 can be found on the civil service website:
http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/statistics/sickness.asp.
Reliable data before 2002 is not available from HMT electronic systems. There are no set target rates for HMT.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether food and drink on sale to staff of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds. [237426]
Angela Eagle: The Treasury does not subsidise food and drink supplied in the 1 Horse Guards road building. The Debt Management Office provides subsidised tea, coffee and milk to its staff.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on external consultancy in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239063]
Angela Eagle: Details of the Department’s spending on external consultancy since 2001-02 is shown in Table A3 on page 111 of the 2007-08 Annual Report (CM 7408) available from:
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/deptreport_index.htm
Information on spending prior to 2001-02 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees in his Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238972]
Angela Eagle: Details of the number of Treasury employees who took early retirement or early severance together with the total cost in each of the last five financial years is shown in the following table.
| 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2005-06 | 2004-05 | 2003-04 | |
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much (a) his Department, (b) HM Revenue and Customs, (c) the Valuation Office Agency and (d) other agencies have spent on (i) flat screen televisions, (ii) DVD players and (iii) stereo equipment in each of the last three years. [237507]
Angela Eagle: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) spent £582 in 2006-07, and £681 in 2007-08, on flat-screen televisions, and £25,227 in 2007-08 on DVD and television combination products.
The Valuation Office Agency spent £16,740 on flat screen televisions and £9,652 on stereo equipment in 2005-06, £6,838 on flat screen televisions in 2006-07, and £2,056 on flat screen televisions and £178 on DVD players in 2007-08.
The Debt Management Office spent £8,715 in 2006-07, and £3,335 in 2007-08, on flat-screen televisions. It did not have any such spending in 2005-06.
OGC.buyingsolutions, an agency of the Office of Government Commerce, spent £3,133 on flat screen televisions in 2005-06. It did not have any such spending in 2006-07 or 2007-08.
Information in relation to the Treasury in the last three years, and in relation to HMRC for 2005-06, is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department have received gifts valued at £100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received in each case. [239635]
Angela Eagle: The Cabinet Office publishes a list of gifts received by Ministers of over £140 in value that is available from
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ministers.aspx.
The Treasury’s internal guidance to staff on receipt of gifts states that they should normally be refused or returned where staff have direct involvement in decisions affecting the giver or where they are worth more than about £25.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much surplus land (a) his Department and (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is. [236426]
Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for each of the sites owned by his Department and registered on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land; what construction projects are planned for each site; and when he expects each site to be returned to use. [236436]
Angela Eagle: The Chancellor does not have any sites registered on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a list of all staffing units created in his Department in the last 12 months, setting out the (a) functions and (b) staff complement of each. [208672]
Angela Eagle: As at the 30 June 2008 no new staffing units were created in the previous 12 months.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239033]
Angela Eagle: HM Treasury does not have any non-departmental public bodies.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on (a) publicity and (b) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238940]
Angela Eagle: The Treasury spent £381,000 in 2007-08 on advertising. For prior years spending I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 March 2008, Official Report, column 116W to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban). The majority of the Treasury’s spending on advertising and publicity is for the purposes of recruitment, except where indicated in the previous answer referred to.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which organisations provided media monitoring services to (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last three years; and what the total cost was of each contract over that period. [231329]
Angela Eagle: The Treasury Group, compromising the departmental Treasury, Office of Government Commerce and Debt Management Office, total spend on media monitoring services in 2005-06: £380,807; 2006-07: £480,006; 2007-08: £483,288, and included contracts with the Central Office of Information, Press Association, EDS and Lexis Nexis.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year; [239090]
(2) how many press officers were employed in his Department in each year since 1997-98; at what cost in each year; and if he will make a statement. [239124]
Angela Eagle: Information on the number of special advisers is published annually by the Prime Minister, the most recent information was given on 22 July 2008, Official Report , column 98WS. For press officers I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 6 November 2008, Official Report, column 680W to the hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mr. Hunt). Information for each year since 1997 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Details of the Treasury’s administration costs spending is published in the Resource Accounts and the Departmental Report each year available from:
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1891W—continued
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years. [237498]
Angela Eagle: The special advisers' office is currently staffed by four full-time equivalent staff. They provide support of a non-political nature to both the special advisers and the Council of Economic Advisers in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. Cost details are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned. Office costs are shown in the Treasury's Resource Account, HC 539, available from
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department and its agencies spent on entertainment in each of the last five years. [219255]
Angela Eagle: The following table provides details of spending on official entertainment in each of the last five years.
| £000 | ||||
| Treasury | DMO | OGC | OGC.bs | |
All expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many non-pensionable bonuses were awarded to members of staff in his Department in the last 12 months; and at what total cost. [226432]
Angela Eagle: Performance and special bonuses paid to Treasury staff are all non-pensionable. For details of the number of bonuses paid in 2007-08 I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 164W, to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable).
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239669]
Angela Eagle: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 164W.
HM Treasury staff at all grades are eligible for bonus payments. Bonuses are paid in two circumstances: performance bonuses are those linked to the annual staff appraisal system; special bonuses are those paid to recognise exceptional performance for specific contributions or pieces of work during the year or situations outside the normal expectations of the post.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238993]
Angela Eagle: All Treasury press releases since 1997 can be found on the HM Treasury website at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_notices_index.htm
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239645]
Angela Eagle: Since April 2007 HM Treasury and the Debt Management Office have no procurement exercises where the competitive tendering process has been cancelled and abortive costs incurred.
Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer from the Minister of State, Home Office, to the hon. Member for Angus (Mr. Weir) of 12 June 2008, Official Report, columns 471-72W, on departmental property, if he will place in the Library a copy of the new Treasury reporting procedures; and for what reasons the details of stolen assets are not required to be specified under the procedures. [217441]
Yvette Cooper: I am placing in the Library the Treasury's current fraud reporting requirements, which are contained in a letter to Finance Directors (MS FD (08) 11) dated 21 April 2008. These were first introduced on 5 May 2006 in order to simplify the reporting process. Up to that date Departments were asked to provide details of each individual theft or fraud regardless of their value. Departments now provide, for each fraud category, the number of cases and their total value. The changes were introduced in order to reduce the burden on Departments and to speed up the process of producing the Fraud Report.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239052]
Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 June 2008, Official Report, column 1227W, to the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Stewart Hosie).
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost was of (a) entertainment, (b) advertising and promotion and (c) public relations consultancy to his Department in 2007-08. [228161]
Angela Eagle: The Treasury does not record public relations expenditure as a separate category but a check of supplier records for the financial year 2007-08 has revealed no payments to suppliers that are known to be public relations companies. A more comprehensive answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the television licence fee in his official Ministerial residence is paid for from public funds. [236659]
Angela Eagle: The licence in respect of the Chancellor's private flat is the personal responsibility of the Chancellor.
Robert Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend East, of 6 October 2008, Official Report, column 174W, on Dorneywood, (1) on what dates Treasury Ministers used Dorneywood for official engagements in the last 12 months; [232657]
(2) on how many occasions he has made use of the official Ministerial residence of Dorneywood since he became Chancellor. [232660]
Angela Eagle: Ministers and civil servants have used Dorneywood for official events over the past 12 months. Dorneywood is held in trust for use as an official residence, as has been the case under successive Administrations. It is the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and is also available to Ministers and their civil servants for official engagements. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such engagements.
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures the Government plan to introduce to protect the (a) pensions, (b) homes and (c) savings of UK citizens with reference to the recent uncertainty in the international banking sector. [224734]
Ian Pearson: The Banking Bill, now before Parliament, makes a number of changes to strengthen the framework for depositor protection and to provide new arrangements for resolving the position of banks in distress. The Financial Services Authority is considering further reforms to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
The Government launched the Pensions Protection Fund (PPF) in 2005. The PPF pays compensation to members of defined benefit pension scheme where the sponsoring employer becomes insolvent leaving insufficient assets in the scheme. At the same time, the Government created the Pensions Regulator (replacing the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority) to protect the benefits of members of work-based pension schemes.
As part of the £1 billion housing package announced on 2 September, the Government have already provided support for thousands of vulnerable homeowners facing repossession to remain in their homes through a new
mortgage rescue scheme. The Government have also increased support available under the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme for the next two years to increase help for some of the most vulnerable homeowners on very low, or no, incomes.
Building on the September package, at PBR the Chancellor announced further measures to help vulnerable homeowners to stay in their homes, including an extension to the mortgage rescue scheme to cover second charge mortgages. Support for Mortgage Interest was also strengthened through raising the capital limit to £200,000 and maintaining interest payments at 6 per cent. for the next six months, despite the fall in base rate. The PBR announced the formation of a new Lending Panel, which will encourage the highest standards of industry best practice in supporting borrowers with mortgage repayment problems. The major lenders are also committed not to initiate repossession proceedings within at least three months of the account going into arrears. In addition, Government are investing a further £15 million in debt advice services, to ensure all householders facing financial difficulties have access to free and impartial advice when they need it.
The Government is committed to doing whatever it takes to stabilise the banking system, protect savers and taxpayers and support the wider economy.
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what regulatory changes the Government plans to introduce to ensure better regulation of banks operating in the UK. [224737]
Ian Pearson: As the Chancellor made clear in his statement on financial markets to the House of Commons on 6 October 2008, he has asked Adair Turner, the Chairman of the FSA, to make recommendations for regulatory reforms.
On the basis of recent events in financial markets, which have shown the importance to banks of liquidity as well as capital, the FSA is already considering changes to liquidity requirements. In addition, the Government announced a comprehensive financial support package announced on 8 October and the specific details announced on 13 October detail the steps taken to ensure financial stability. This package of measures has subsequently been replicated throughout the world.
Mr. Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which recruitment agencies (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have used in the last three years; and how much was paid to each of these recruitment agencies in each year. [230941]
Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 18 June 2007, Official Report, columns 1495-96W. Information on payments to recruitment agencies is commercially sensitive and cannot be released.
Mr. Kemp:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of residents of (a) the City of Sunderland, (b) Houghton and
Washington East constituency and (c) England and Wales who were mis-sold a home equity release product in each year since 1997. [239699]
Ian Pearson: The Government do not hold data on the number of equity release products sold each year or data on mis-selling.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the net additional funding the United Kingdom will receive from the European Union Solidarity Fund to assist in the aftermath of the floods in 2007. [229761]
Yvette Cooper: Based on the exchange rates at the time of application, the net benefit of the €162.4 million in EU Solidarity Fund assistance paid by the EU in relation to the summer 2007 flooding is around £31 million. This takes account of the increase to the EC budget and the impact on the size of the UK abatement. The exact size of the net benefit will depend on exchange rates on 31 December 2008, which are used to calculate the size of the UK's contribution for next year. The Government announced that £31 million would be made available to English local authorities through the Restoration Fund and to the devolved administrations of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 6 October 2008, Official Report, column 375W, on excise duties: motor vehicles, what the effect of (a) each of these factors and (b) others has been in each of the last 10 years; and what forecast he has made for the next three years as a result of the vehicle excise duty changes introduced in the 2008 Budget. [237850]
Mr. Timms: The Treasury does not hold figures on the effect of factors such as brand, mileage, reliability, comfort or tax on the purchase price of used vehicles. These factors will all affect the purchase price to some degree. However, of equal or greater concern to consumers may be the difference in price between their previous vehicle and new purchase.
Given that there are three times as many transactions involving used cars as new ones each year, it is important that the incentive to purchase lower carbon vehicles extends to the used car market as well as the new car market.
Future forecasts for vehicle excise duty revenues are set out in Annex B of the pre-Budget report.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the multiplies effect of a fiscal boost to the economy through (a) greater public spending and (b) tax reductions. [238333]
Angela Eagle:
The 2008 pre-Budget report announced a discretionary fiscal action of £20 billion, which will deliver a fiscal stimulus of around 1 per cent. of GDP
The use of fiscal measures to stimulate demand is discussed in the HM Treasury document. The case for a concerted international fiscal response available at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/prebud_pbr08_fiscalresponse.htm
and a range of evidence on the size and sign of fiscal multipliers is examined in the discussion paper “Fiscal Stabilisation and EMU” available at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/fiscal_stabilisation_and_emu.htm
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1897W—continued
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the EU has granted to the UK for flood relief since the 2007 floods. [218664]
Yvette Cooper: Based on the exchange rates at the time of application, the net benefit of the €162.4 million in EU Solidarity Fund assistance paid by the EU in relation to the summer 2007 flooding is around £31 million. This takes account of the increase to the EC budget and the impact on the size of the UK abatement. The exact size of the net benefit will depend on exchange rates on 31 December 2008, which are used to calculate the size of the UK's contribution for next year. The Government announced that £31 million would be made available to English local authorities through the Restoration Fund and to the devolved Administrations of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the EU funds given to the UK for flood relief as a result of the 2007 summer floods was (a) retained by the Treasury and (b) allocated to affected local authorities. [218665]
Yvette Cooper: Based on the exchange rates at the time of application, the net benefit of the €162.4 million in EU Solidarity Fund assistance paid by the EU in relation to the summer 2007 flooding is around £31 million. This takes account of the increase to the EC budget and the impact on the size of the UK abatement. The exact size of the net benefit will depend on exchange rates on 31 December 2008, which are used to calculate the size of the UK's contribution for next year. The Government announced that £31 million would be made available to English local authorities through the Restoration Fund and to the devolved Administrations of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) briefing and (b) minutes the then Chancellor of the Exchequer received from (i) 10 Downing Street and (ii) ministerial colleagues in relation to the taxation affairs of Formula One Holdings and its associated companies in November 1997. [228813]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 21 October 2008]: HM Revenue and Customs (and its predecessor departments, the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise) is bound by a statutory duty of confidentiality to taxpayers.
Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much gold has been sold by the Treasury since 1997, expressed in current retail prices; and how much was received in respect of the sales. [228882]
Ian Pearson: 395 tonnes of gold were sold from the reserves between July 1999 and March 2002 and re-invested in interest-bearing foreign currency assets. Other central banks have adopted similar policies. The total proceeds were around $3.5 billion, equivalent to around £2.3 billion (using exchange rates at the time of the sales).
Mr. Hancock: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax measures are in place relating to the breeding of thoroughbred racehorses; and whether any such measures provide incentives to breed such horses. [239188]
Mr. Timms: There are no tax measures in place which cover the breeding of thoroughbred racehorses specifically.
HM Revenue and Customs operate a VAT registration scheme for racehorse owners. Owners who comply with the conditions of the scheme are considered to be in business, and are entitled to register for VAT. This means that they can recover VAT incurred on all expenditure connected with racehorse ownership, although they must also charge VAT on sponsorship income, prize money, appearance money, and the sale of racehorses. For the purposes of the scheme, 'owners' include breeders, dealers, trainers and racing clubs. Full details of the scheme are set out in VAT Public Notice 700/67.
For income and corporation tax purposes, the breeding of thoroughbred racehorses is treated as farming. There are a number of direct tax rules which apply to farming generally, reflecting the particular aspects of farming activity. These rules apply equally to the breeding of thoroughbred racehorses as they do to any other farming business.
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of (a) persons and (b) households with assets over (i) £1 million, (ii) £5 million, (iii) £10 million and (iv) £20 million; and if he will estimate the revenue which would accrue to the Exchequer of an annual levy of (A) 1 per cent. of the wealth of those with assets over £1 million, (B) 1.5 per cent. of the wealth of those with assets over £5 million, (C) two per cent. of the wealth of those with assets over £10 million and (D) three per cent. of the wealth of those with assets over £20 million. [239818]
Mr. Timms: An estimate of the number of individuals with wealth above £1 million for the latest year available is provided in footnote 2 to National Statistics Table 13.5
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal_wealth/table13_5.pdf
Equivalent estimates for households and for those with wealth at higher levels are not available.
Estimates of the revenue from an annual levy on wealth are also not available.
Mr. Byers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the level to which the higher threshold for income tax would need to be raised for the same number of people to be paying the higher rate now as in 1997. [229737]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 23 October 2008]: The point at which tax is paid at 40 per cent., the higher rate threshold, has increased in each year since 1997-98. Changes to taxpayer numbers since 1997 have been the result of changes in employment and income growth. Information on the number of taxpayers for the period 1990-91 to 2008-09 can be found in Table 2.1 “Number of individual income taxpayers” on the HM Revenue and Customs website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/menu.htm
Dr. Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of raising the individual inheritance tax threshold to £1 million and maintaining the transferability of the allowance between spouses; and if he will make a statement. [234128]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 10 November 2008]: The cost of increasing the inheritance tax nil rate band to £1 million while retaining transferability of the allowance between spouses and civil partners with effect from April 2009 is estimated at £700 million in 2009-10, £1.7 billion in 2010-11 and £1.8 billion in 2011-12.
These estimates are consistent with Budget 2008 forecasts of current receipts.
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the number of company insolvencies in which HM Revenue and Customs was a creditor in each of the last four years, broken down by (a) compulsory liquidations, (b) creditors voluntary liquidations, (c) company voluntary arrangements, (d) administrations and (e) receiverships; and what projections his Department has made for (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10. [238837]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 24 November 2008]: Details of the numbers of company administrations and receiverships in which HM Revenue and Customs was a creditor in England and Wales since 2005-06 are as follows:
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09( 1) | |
| (1) Part year to end of October 2008 | ||||
The other information is not available in the format requested without disproportionate cost.
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the number of individual insolvencies in which HM Revenue and Customs was a creditor in each of the last four years, broken down by (a) administration orders, (b) individual voluntary arrangements, (c) bankruptcies and (d) bankruptcies involving trading debts; and what projections his Department has made for (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10. [238838]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 24 November 2008]: Details of the total numbers of bankruptcies in which HM Revenue and Customs was a creditor since 2006/07 are as follows:
| Bankruptcies | |
| (1) England, Wales, Scotland (2) England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland from June 2007 (3) To end October 2008 | |
In the period from 6 April to the end of October 2008, a total of 3,308 individual voluntary arrangements in which HMRC had a claim were recorded. For information on the number of individual voluntary arrangements approved in England and Wales for earlier years, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr. Hammond) on 23 October 2007, Official Report, column 250W.
The other information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government plans to take to encourage banks and building societies to pass on Bank of England interest rate cuts to their customers. [235372]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 17 November 2008]: Banks should pass on interest rate cuts to their customers wherever they can. The Chancellor has met with the CEOs of the major UK banks to make this clear.
The Chancellor announced at pre-Budget report 2008 that the Government are establishing a Lending Panel, bringing together Government, regulators, lenders, trade bodies and consumer groups to monitor lending to both households and businesses. The new panel will encourage and drive up best practice in lending decisions and treatment of borrowers.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria he expects the Bank of England to follow in setting interest rates in circumstances where inflation is below the target figure. [239559]
Ian Pearson: The Chancellor wrote to the Governor of the Bank of England on 11 March 2008 to specify the inflation target as 2 per cent. measured by the 12-month increase in the CPI.
The remit of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England sets a symmetric inflation target, in which an undershooting is taken as seriously as an overshooting.
The Bank of England has operational independence in meeting the inflation target set by the Government. It is not the Government's policy to comment on or have input into, individual interest rate decisions taken by the MPC.
Mr. Havard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to (a) raise the limits and (b) review the interest rates on prudential borrowing by local authorities. [238054]
John Healey: It is for local authorities, under the Local Government Act 2003, to determine and keep under review the amount they can afford to borrow without Government support; and to choose which financial institution to borrow from.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average interest rate payable on mortgages was in each of the last 10 years. [239892]
Ian Pearson: The Bank of England publishes the effective interest rate for outstanding UK mortgages for the period from 1999, available at:
http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics/index.htm.
This is the weighted average of all interest rates across each type of mortgage of the reporting banks.
The Office for National Statistics publishes the average interest rate for outstanding mortgages with UK building societies, for the period 1984 to 2007, available at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/FinStats_AprO7.pdf.
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors HM Revenue and Customs took into account when setting the interest rate it charges to small businesses at 7.5 per cent.; and what consideration was made of the Bank of England base rate. [238550]
Mr. Timms: There is no rate of interest for small businesses specifically. Instead there are a number of tax specific rates. All interest rates charged and paid out by HMRC are determined by referenced formulae set out in legislation. This provides that the starting point for these interest rate formulae is the ‘reference rate’. This rate is an average of the basic lending rate applied by six of the UK’s banks.
HMRC recalculates its interest rates following any rate reduction announced by the MPC in line with the procedures laid down in legislation. As a result of this procedure, from 6 December the rate charged on late payments of the main taxes will reduce to 5.5 per cent.
In July HMRC published “Interest—working towards a harmonised regime” which consulted on harmonising and simplifying the rules for interest on tax paid late
and on repayments of tax overpaid. Responses to the July consultation informed the latest consultation on interest that was announced in the pre-Budget report. This seeks views on proposals for greater alignment of the interest rules across the different taxes, including using and tracking the bank of England base rate as a basis for setting HMRC interest rates.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the assets of Kaupthing Bank that were frozen in the UK belonged to Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander (Isle of Man). [239285]
Ian Pearson: On 8 October, the Treasury made Landsbanki Freezing Order 2008 in order to freeze funds and financial assets relating to Landsbanki. Landsbanki is the only Icelandic bank which has been made the subject of a freezing order.
On the same day, 8 October, the FSA decided that Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander Ltd no longer met the FSA's threshold conditions and the firm went into administration.
Under UK insolvency law, KSF IoM ranks like any other creditor of KSF-KSF IoM will have been fully aware of this. It could have chosen to put its money elsewhere and to have diversified the deposits made rather than making a single large deposit, which concentrated the credit risk to which it was exposed.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of protection applied to deposits with the Derbyshire (Isle of Man) upon its take over by Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander Ltd; what action the Government has taken against such deposits; whether any deposits have been transferred to Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander (Isle of Man); and if he will make a statement. [239286]
Ian Pearson: Derbyshire Offshore (the trading name for Derbyshire Building Society’s Isle of Man subsidiary) was established in the Isle of Man in 1990 and was regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission. The transfer of Derbyshire Offshore to Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander Isle of Man (KSF IoM) was a commercial decision for the firms concerned and a matter for the Isle of Man authorities including the financial regulator, Isle of Man’s Financial Supervision Commission.
Deposits with both Derbyshire IoM and KSF IoM were subject to the Isle of Man Deposit Compensation Scheme.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1902W—continued
Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assistance he plans to offer to British citizens with deposits in Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander, Isle of Man; and if he will make a statement; [239736]
(2) what recent estimate he has made of the number of British citizens who are depositors in Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander, Isle of Man; what estimate he has made of the average size of deposits in such cases; and if he will make a statement; [239737]
(3) what recent representations he has received on the possible liquidation of Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander, Isle of Man; and if he will make a statement; [239738]
(4) what recent assessment he has made of the situation of British depositors in Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander, Isle of Man. [239739]
Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for new Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 5 November, Official Report, column 539W.
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether community sports clubs are eligible to apply to the Landfill Communities Fund for grants. [239231]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 25 November 2008]: Since April 2002 community sports clubs meeting certain requirements have been able to register with HMRC as CASCs and so benefit from a range of reliefs, similar to those normally given to charities.
Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) are eligible to apply under the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) for grants to undertake projects that meet environmental objectives, as defined in the Landfill Tax Regulations 1996. Either the CASC, or an organisation on their behalf, must register with ENTRUST as an Environmental Body (EB) in order to receive funding. ENTRUST is the regulator of the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF).
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he had with the Financial Services Authority between March 2008 and October 2008 on its supervisory responsibilities in respect of (a) Landsbanki and (b) Heritable, with particular reference to the liquidity of both banks. [238062]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 24 November 2008]: The FSA intensified its supervision of deposit-taking by Icelandic banks (including through increased contact with the banks themselves and the Icelandic regulator) from the beginning of 2008. As the macroeconomic situation deteriorated during the year and particularly since September the FSA has worked increasingly intensively with the banks concerned.
As the Memorandum of Understanding between HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the FSA sets out, the FSA informs the Tripartite of any concerns about individual financial institutions on a regular basis.
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what responsibilities the Financial Services Authority had for monitoring the global liquidity position of (a) Landsbanki and (b) Kaupthing. [238063]
Ian Pearson
[holding answer 24 November 2008]: Under the Banking Consolidation Directive, banks from other EEA member states have the right to “passport” into the UK and to operate here as a branch. These banks are authorised by their home-state regulator. For the UK business of these branches, the FSA has
responsibility for the supervision of conduct of business, money laundering and financial crime, and branch liquidity. The FSA exercises supervision of branch liquidity in co-operation with the “home state” authority. The FSA does not supervise the liquidity position of the bank as a whole, which is the responsibility of the home state regulator under the directive.
Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 932W, on banks: incentives, whether he expects to be consulted on the size of any stock bonuses which may be paid to directors of Lloyds TSB. [239170]
Ian Pearson: It has not proved possible to answer the hon. Member's question, of which Treasury Ministers first received notice on 24 November 2008, before Parliament is prorogued later today.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual change was in local government expenditure funded by central government in each of the last 10 years. [225431]
Yvette Cooper: In England, the year on year increase in total Government grant for local authority revenue expenditure on a like for like basis (taking account of changes in finance or function) is as follows:
| £ billion | |
This is the increase in gross aggregate external finance (AEF), and includes Formula Grant, redistributed business rates and specific grants within AEF. It does not include capital grants provided by central Government, and excludes Housing Revenue Account Subsidy.
Spending by local authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a devolved matter for the devolved administrations. However, table 9.13 of ‘Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2008’ gives information about total local authority identifiable expenditure on services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on (a) high street banks in which the Government has purchased an interest and (b) their subsidiaries passing on reductions in the bank base rate to their mortgage holders; and if he will make a statement. [239003]
Ian Pearson: As part of its investment, the Government have agreed a range of commitments with banks accessing the recapitalisation scheme. These include agreements to make available affordable products during this period of global turbulence in financial markets, help individuals struggling with their mortgage payments stay in their homes and support the expansion of financial capability initiatives.
Decisions on lending to individual customers and on mortgage rates remain commercial decisions for the individual banks, based on borrowers' individual circumstances. The banks concerned are expected to review their business strategies in light of the recapitalisations and their commitments.
In addition, the Government's investments will be managed on a commercial basis by an arm's length company, ‘UK Financial Investments Limited’ (UKR), whose overarching objective will be to protect and create value for the taxpayer as shareholder with due regard to the maintenance of financial stability and to act in a way that promotes competition. More details can be found in the letter to the chairman of the Treasury Committee (the right hon. John McFall) dated on 3 November from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which is available in the House of Commons' Library.
Mr. Spring: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue the Exchequer received from employer national insurance contributions in the last tax year; and what proportion of this came from employers running (a) small, (b) medium-sized and (c) large enterprises. [228470]
Mr. Timms: Receipts of employer national insurance contributions were £58.1 billion in 2007-08. A breakdown of this total between small, medium and large companies is not available.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to level payments on national insurance between earned and unearned income. [239517]
Mr. Timms: There are no plans to charge national insurance on unearned income.
Susan Kramer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the effect on revenue for the Exchequer if his Department ended the exemption from national insurance contributions and tax relief for employers providing qualifying childcare and vouchers towards the cost of childcare in each of the next five years; [225532]
(2) what the cost to the Exchequer has been of exemptions from national insurance contributions and tax relief for employers providing qualifying childcare and vouchers towards the cost of childcare in each year since its introduction. [225533]
Mr. Timms: The estimate of the costs to the Exchequer of the tax and National Insurance Contributions reliefs for Employer Supported Childcare is published in Table 7 of Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs, a supplementary document to the 2008 pre-Budget report.
The Report and supplementary documents are available on the HM Treasury website, at the following address:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/prebud_pbr08_index.htm
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2008, whether it is his policy to treat Northern Rock as a public authority for the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998. [235565]
Ian Pearson: During its period of temporary public ownership Northern Rock is being managed on a commercial basis at arm’s length from the Government.
Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the monetary value of compensation to be paid to Northern Rock shareholders in respect of the shares taken into public ownership. [238875]
Ian Pearson: An independent valuer has been appointed to assess any compensation that may be payable to those affected by the transfer of Northern Rock to the Treasury on 22 February 2008.
More information is available on the Treasury website at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_91_08.htm and on the valuer's website at http://www.northernrockvaluer. org.uk
David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings officials of OGC Buying Solutions have had with representatives of (a) strategic health authorities and (b) primary care trusts in (i) the East Midlands and (ii) England in the last two years. [238399]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 24 November 2008]: The information requested is as follows:
| Number of meetings held | ||
| East midlands | England | |
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2008, Official Report, columns 1017-18W, on the Office of Government Commerce: Zanzibar, how much his Department spent on (a) the development and (b) the implementation across Government of the Zanzibar eProcurement Service, in each of the last four years. [227155]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 14 October 2008]: This response could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the savings achieved for the use of the Zanzibar eProcurement Service across public sector bodies and Government departments in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08; and what savings are predicted for (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11. [227156]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 14 October 2008]: The information is as follows.
| £ | |
| (1) The Zanzibar Service went live in October 2006; therefore the estimated savings in 2006-07 only covers the period October 2006 to March 2007 | |
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which organisations have signed memoranda of understanding to implement the Zanzibar eProcurement Service. [227157]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 14 October 2008]: The following fourteen organisations signed memoranda of understanding to implement the Zanzibar eProcurement Service:
Cabinet Office
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Department for Transport
Department of Health
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Environment Agency
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
HM Customs and Excise
Home Office
Inland Revenue
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)
Office of Government Commerce (OGC)
Prison Service
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what initiatives, procedures or training programmes his Department has to ensure the take up of the Zanzibar eProcurement Service by public sector bodies and government departments. [227158]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 17 October 2008]: The following activities are undertaken by OGC.Buying. Solutions to support the take up of the Zanzibar eProcurement Service.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1907W—continued
Buying.Solutions organises and chairs the Zanzibar User Group. All customers are invited to this forum with the aim of learning from others experiences; discussing
best practice and sharing a common approach to areas such as supplier adoption which benefits the customer base as a whole.
Buying.Solutions provides marketing support for the Zanzibar programme by providing customer questions and answers and case studies on a dedicated web page as part of its corporate website. The eCommerce team provides Zanzibar related content for its Public Sector Procurement magazine which is sent to 27,000 subscribers every quarter. In the current year four Zanzibar related articles have been included in the magazine.
The eCommerce team supports individual customers by participating in their project/programme boards and supports customers at an operational level with regular meetings. The eCommerce team works with customers to ensure that the most strategically important suppliers join the programme and enables the loading of their content to the marketplace.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional funding the Government will make available to the Scottish Executive to meet the cost of pension changes for police and fire and rescue services in Scotland as a result of the recent Ministerial decision. [227818]
Yvette Cooper: The Scottish Executive has chosen to manage the costs of the pension payments for police and Fire Fighter pensions within its departmental limits (DEL). In England, following changes in 2005, they came under annually managed expenditure (AME). In these circumstances it is clearly for the Scottish Executive to manage these costs within existing resources. HM Treasury stands ready to assist the Scottish Executive to introduce reformed arrangements as soon as possible, should they choose to proceed along these lines.
Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent estimate he has made of the unfunded public sector pensions liability; what the liability was in each year since 1980; on what assumptions his estimates are based; and if he will make a statement; [200831]
(2) when the next estimate of the public sector unfunded pension liability will be available; and if he will make a statement. [200830]
Yvette Cooper: As shown on page 38 of the Long Term Public Finance Report published on 12 March 2008, the total unfunded public service liabilities are estimated to be £650 billion at 31 March 2006. The three previous comparable estimates of this total were £530 billion at 31 March 2005, £460 billion at 31 March 2004 and £425 billion at 31 March 2003.
These are notional figures representing all future payments due to individuals who work, have worked, or are dependents of individuals who worked in the public service. The variation in these estimates is primarily due to changes in actuarial assumptions, which are set in line with international standards. As the March 2008 Long Term Public Finance Report showed, expenditure
on public service pensions over the next 50 years, remains at a sustainable level between 1.5 and 2 per cent. of GDP.
The estimates for years prior to 2003 were not made on a comparable basis.
The actuarial assumptions used to value the liabilities of individual schemes are set out in the relevant reports by the scheme actuary and have been reported in scheme resource accounts.
An updated estimate will be published in due course.
Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of revenues to the public purse from public sector pension employee contributions in the latest year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [200832]
Yvette Cooper: Rounded to the nearest £0.1 billion, employee contributions to unfunded public service pension schemes are estimated to have been around £5.1 billion and employee contributions to the funded Local Government Pension Schemes are estimated to have been around £2.0 billion in the financial year 2006-07.
The Government do not hold aggregate estimates of employee contributions in the wider pubic sector.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent estimate he has made of the savings likely to be achieved in each year from April 2006 as a result of the Government's reforms to public sector pensions; [224256]
(2) what recent assessment he has made of the savings likely to be achieved as a result of the Government's reforms to public sector pensions in each year from April 2006. [233155]
Yvette Cooper: The Government are committed to providing good quality public service pension schemes that are affordable and sustainable in the long-term. To achieve this, we have undertaken a programme of reforms that have included mechanisms such as cost sharing and capping, as well as measures such as increases in pension age. The savings resulting from such measures will appear in future pension valuations.
The packages of reforms vary considerably between schemes, as will the effects on employer pension contributions and payments of pension benefits, and the values placed on such effects will depend on the time frames over which they are measured. Detailed questions about the financial effects are for the Departments responsible for the schemes.
However, figures that Departments have already published indicate that employer costs should already be around one and a quarter to one and a half billion pounds a year lower than they would otherwise have been and the long-term annual savings should be substantially more than this.
Philip Davies:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many documents produced by his Department were submitted to the Plain English
Campaign for approval for Crystal Mark status in each year since 2005; and how many documents achieved such status in each year. [231110]
Angela Eagle: I very much regret not being in a position to answer the hon. Member’s question before Prorogation. I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Government have received in premiums from the Pool Reinsurance scheme in each year since the scheme's inception. [234049]
Ian Pearson: The arrangements under which premium is paid to Government under the Pool Reinsurance scheme are such that Government are not normally entitled to premium payments unless the surplus in Pool Reinsurance Company Limited exceeds £1 billion. As a result, no premium was received by Government in respect of years 1993 to 1997 and a "catch up" premium was due in respect of 1998. Premium, and interest where relevant, received to date by Government in respect of each year of Pool Re's operation have been:
| £ million | |
Premium is normally paid in arrears, using a three year accounting convention, with interest payable to compensate Government for this delay in payment. As a result, premiums are not yet due in respect of 2006, 2007 or 2008.
David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures are in place to monitor the (a) financial inability and (b) ownership of private companies involved in financing public sector projects through the private finance initiative. [236345]
Yvette Cooper [holding answer 17 November 2008]: As the Memorandum of Understanding between HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the FSA sets out, the three authorities meet at a number of levels on a very regular basis to exchange information on issues relating to financial stability which monitor the health of the market as a whole.
With specific reference to PFI, a list of equity holders is available from the Treasury website at
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pfi_equityholders_march2008.xls
For each PFI project, this list details the project name, the main equity holders, and the procuring authority.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what year-on-year change there has been in total Government expenditure in each year since 1997. [239558]
Mr. Timms: Expenditure data prior to 2007-08 are in table B1 of the Public Sector Finances Databank. Figures for 2007-08 and 2008-09 are in table B16 of the 2008 pre-Budget Report.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which pension schemes were covered by the Government Actuary’s Department’s estimate of unfunded public service occupational pension scheme liabilities as at 31 March 2006, set out on page 38 of the 2008 Long Term Public Finance Report. [233136]
Yvette Cooper: The liability estimate covers all unfunded public service occupational pension schemes in the UK. These are defined as pension schemes established by statute or by Ministers exercising statutory powers. The main schemes covered by those for the NHS, teachers, civil service, armed forces, police, firefighters, judiciary and the Atomic Energy Authority.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate on a GAAP basis the aggregate change in liability in respect of the public sector pension schemes not included in table D1 of Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses in years for which information is available. [233152]
Yvette Cooper: Table D1 of Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses shows the aggregate change in liability for the main central Government unfunded public service pension schemes. Figures for other public sector pension schemes are reported in the accounts of employers participating in those pension schemes. Aggregate figures are not available centrally and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the aggregate value of contributions received from members of the public sector pension schemes not included in table D1 of Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses for each year for which information is available since 2007. [233153]
Yvette Cooper: Employee contributions to unfunded public service pension schemes not included in table D1 of Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses are estimated to have been around £0.7 billion and employee contributions to the funded Local Government Pension Schemes are estimated to have been around £2.0 billion in the financial year 2006-07.
Government do not hold aggregate estimates of employee contributions in the wider public sector.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will prepare and publish an updated version of his Department’s March 2006 paper Total liability of Unfunded Public Service Occupational Pension Schemes as at 31 March 2005. [233154]
Yvette Cooper: Information relating to the total unfunded public service pensions liability will be published in due course.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which bonds of which durations are considered by the Government Actuary when recommending the discount rates to be used in calculating public sector pension liabilities; and at what dates these are measured. [233156]
Yvette Cooper: The main unfunded public service pension schemes prepare their accounts in accordance with the Government Financial Reporting Manual. HM Treasury advises the appropriate discount rate for measuring the pension liabilities of these schemes, based on advice from the Government Actuary’s Department. The discount rate used to measure the pension liabilities as at 31 March 2008 is 2.5 per cent. per annum in excess of price inflation (as measured by the Retail Price Index).
The discount rate in excess of price inflation is based on the rate of return on AA-rated corporate bonds, less the market expectation of future inflation.
The rate of return on AA-rated corporate bonds is based on the redemption yield on an index of AA-rated corporate bonds denominated in pounds sterling with 15 years or more to run to maturity.
The market expectation of future inflation is based on the difference between the redemption yield on index-linked Government securities and the redemption yield on fixed-interest Government securities.
The yields were measured as at close of business on 31 January 2008.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assumptions about trends in mortality growth are used to calculate the estimate of public service occupational pension liabilities published in the Long Term Public Finance Report; [233157]
(2) what assumptions about future salary growth are used to calculate the estimate of public service occupational pension liabilities published in the Long Term Public Finance Report. [233158]
Yvette Cooper: As page 38 of the Long Term Public Finance Report published on 12 March 2008 explains, the key actuarial assumptions used to value the liabilities of individual schemes are set out in the relevant reports by the scheme actuary as reported in individual scheme resource accounts.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government Actuary's Department plans to update its January 2007 paper Unfunded Public Service Pension Schemes 2006 Cashflow Projections: Methodology, Assumptions and Data. [233239]
Yvette Cooper: The Government Actuary’s Department will publish a paper ‘Unfunded public service pension scheme 2007-08 cashflow projections methodology, assumptions and data in due’ course.
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many staff in his Department left under (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) his Department and (Z) each of his Department's agencies; [237343]
(2) how many of his Department's staff who left under (a) an involuntary and (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if he will make a statement. [239164]
Angela Eagle: It has not proved possible to answer the hon. Member’s question before Parliament is prorogued later today.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1913W—continued
John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue guidelines to banks and building societies to encourage them to stop the repossession of homes belonging to vulnerable families, including families with members who are autistic. [234677]
Ian Pearson: On 22 October, the Government confirmed that the Master of the Rolls had approved a new protocol for mortgage possession cases, which compliments existing regulation, and sets out clear standards that judges may expect of lenders bringing repossessions cases in the courts.
Council of Mortgage Lenders guidance also states that lenders following best practice will have an arrears policy which states how the lender treats customers with serious or terminal illness, mental health problems or disability.
On 2 September, the Government announced a significant package of measures to help borrowers in difficulty, help first time buyers and support the house-building industry. This included a £200 million mortgage rescue scheme, through which the Government will support up to 6,000 of the most vulnerable homeowners facing repossession to remain in their home. The scheme is firmly targeted on those families who can no longer afford their repayments, and who would be considered to have a priority need for accommodation under the homelessness legislation. Under the legislation, the priority need categories include, among others, applicants whose household includes a child or pregnant woman and applicants whose household includes someone who is vulnerable for some reason, for example because of mental illness or is ability. In the pre-Budget Report the Chancellor announced an extension of the mortgage rescue scheme to cover second charge lending.
The Chancellor also announced at Pre-Budget Report 2008 a number of policies which will support households facing financial difficulties.
The Government are establishing a Lending Panel bringing together government, regulators, lenders, trade bodies and consumer groups to monitor lending to both households and businesses. There is a commitment for the coming year by the major mortgage lenders on the new panel, not to repossess homes within three months of an owner-occupier going into arrears.
The Government provide direct support to individuals through Support for Mortgage Interest, which is available to those out of work, and pensioners, delivered through social security benefits. At pre-Budget Report the Government announced that it will make the scheme more generous by increasing the size of the mortgage for which support is payable for new working age claimants from £175,000 to £200,000. In addition, Government will increase net support for beneficiaries of Support for Mortgage Interest through maintaining payments at the current interest rate for the next six months for existing claimants.
The Government are also determined to ensure that every household struggling with debts can access free and impartial debt advice. The Chancellor announced in the pre-Budget Report £5.85 million additional investment to march 2011 in telephone advice, and £10m to march 2010 invested in Citizens Advice bureaux to expand face-to-face debt advice capacity, to ensure that advice and support is available for borrowers who may need it.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent on refurbishment in each HM Revenue and Customs office in the last three years. [221186]
Mr. Timms: This information is not available because the HMRC accounting system does not differentiate refurbishment spending from other types of ad hoc expenditure on its estate, such as health and safety changes, security improvements, accommodation changes relating to changes in team structures such as moving office furniture, porterage, repairs to fittings, erection of whiteboards and signage and clearance costs of properties which have been vacated.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who in HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for deciding on applications under the business appointments procedures. [237565]
Mr. Timms: Managers within each business area are responsible for deciding whether a member of staff should take up a temporary secondment to an outside organisation. Her Majesty's Revenue and Custom's International Relations and Capacity Building (IRCB) team must first give approval if the proposed secondment is with an overseas organisation.
Managers within the business also decide on applications for approval to take up an offer of employment outside the civil service from people leaving HMRC.
In both cases managers' decisions are based on the criteria set out in departmental guidance.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the rules on movements of HM Revenue and Customs officials to commercial companies under the business appointments procedures. [237567]
Mr. Timms: The rules on movements of HMRC officials to commercial companies under the business appointments procedures and to other outside organisations are published on HMRC's intranet. A copy of the relevant guidance has been placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to ensure that all HM Revenue and Customs office sites proposed for closure will retain a full-time enquiry centre, open five days a week, after the rationalisation process has been completed. [238741]
Mr. Timms: Not all HMRC locations provide Enquiry Centre services. HMRC has already committed to maintaining Enquiry Centre services at or close by to where they are currently located. In response to declining demand for its face to face services, HMRC is testing alternative opening patterns in a number of smaller Enquiry Centres with low customer footfall. The results of these pilots will help inform the future pattern of provision of these services.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the Workforce Change programme on the effectiveness of HM Revenue and Customs' management of tax debt. [239803]
Mr. Timms: HMRC believe that by concentrating non location-specific debt management work in fewer locations they will ensure that teams are of a viable size to manage the collection of tax debt more efficiently and effectively and that they will achieve economies of scale. The Workforce Change programme facilitates this business restructuring.
Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008, Official Report, columns 103-04W, on Revenue and Customs: databases, what procedures exist to establish (a) the permission or legal authority of departmental staff to disclose data held on the frameworks database and (b) that those receiving the information have the entitlement or legal right to receive it. [237512]
Mr. Timms:
Section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (CRCA) makes it clear that the Department must not give (“disclose”) HMRC information to anyone, unless it has lawful authority to do so. This includes disclosure to other Government Departments and their agencies, local authorities, the police, any other public bodies, agents and members of
the public. All HMRC staff must comply with this and failure to do so may lead to disciplinary (or even criminal) proceedings.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from local authorities on proposed tax office closures in South Devon. [239001]
Mr. Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials receive representations from a wide range of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such representations.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what national targets exist for the average distance from customers to HM Revenue and Customs offices; and whether he plans to change these targets as a result of the Workforce Change programme. [238740]
Mr. Timms: There are no such targets.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the service offered by HM Revenue and Customs in areas where (a) reduced opening hours each day and (b) fewer open days per week are being piloted for enquiry centres. [238794]
Mr. Timms: HMRC are piloting different opening hours in 10 Enquiry Centres and these will be fully evaluated during January 2009. Early indications are that service levels and customer satisfaction are being maintained. Where any changes to opening days are piloted these will also be fully evaluated.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of HM Revenue and Customs staff in offices earmarked for closure in the South West who live within reasonable daily travel of a strategic site; and if he will make a statement. [238723]
Mr. Timms: To date it has been decided to vacate only three of HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC's) offices in the South West: those at Royal Mead, Bath, The Pithay Bristol and Woodlands Court Bristol. Decisions have not yet been made on a number of offices for which proposals were published in June under HMRC's regional review programme.
Impact assessments for all buildings it has been decided to vacate are published on the HMRC website at
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/better-regulation/regional-reviews.htm.
They include HMRC's initial estimates of how many staff are within reasonable daily travelling time of another HMRC office it has been decided to retain. After decisions have been announced an established process is followed,
starting with one to one meetings between individuals and managers, to determine whether relocation is reasonable in individual circumstances.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of HM Revenue and Customs workforce change programme in (a) Somerset and (b) the South West; and if he will make a statement; [238727]
(2) whether an assessment has been made of the environmental effects of the HM Revenue and Customs Workforce Change programme; and if he will make a statement. [238738]
Mr. Timms: The purpose of the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Workforce Change programme is to match staff and accommodation to future business needs. Its accommodation-related energy requirements will decrease, reflecting the overall reduction in the size of its estate. Any increase in average commuting journey will be more than offset by a reduction in staff numbers resulting in an overall reduction in commuter-generated carbon emissions.
Mr. Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many HM Revenue and Customs customer reviews are (a) outstanding and (b) expected to be outstanding by 5 April 2009. [238724]
Mr. Timms: The total number of customer reviews for the tax years 2006-07 and earlier outstanding on 14 November 2008 was 14,074,742. Employer returns for 2007-08 are not yet fully processed and it is not possible to say precisely how many customer reviews will arise for that year, nor how many will remain outstanding at 5 April 2009. Over 77 per cent. of reviews result in no material tax change for the taxpayer.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what national targets exist for the maximum length of time taken to answer telephone enquiries to HM Revenue and Customs offices; and whether these targets will be revised as part of the Workforce Change programme. [238739]
Mr. Timms: No such national targets exist. The Department's Workforce Change programme will not alter this. HMRC's performance against targets is shown in the departmental report 2008.
Mr. Ingram: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent discussions there have been between his Department and the Scottish Executive on the transfer of funds held in the Fossil Fuel Levy account to the Scottish Consolidated Fund; [230030]
(2) what recent representations he has received from the Scottish Executive on the use to which they wish to put the funds held in the Fossil Fuel Levy account; and if he will make a statement. [230031]
Yvette Cooper: The Treasury receives representations from time to time from the Scottish Executive on a number of issues.
It is open to the Scottish Executive to draw down funds from the Ofgem fossil fuel account to the Scottish Consolidated Fund. However, this does not lead to an increase in the DEL available to the Scottish Executive.
Funds drawn down from the fossil fuel surplus to the UK Consolidated Fund have been used to finance UK public spending and the Scottish Executive has already received Barnett consequentials as a result.
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated monetary value of illicit drugs seized by HM Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland was in each of the last 10 years. [239268]
Mr. Timms: The approximate values of illicit drugs seized by HM Customs and Excise and HM Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland in the financial years from 2003-04 to 2007-08 are set out in the following table. HM Revenue and Customs central records do not hold information on the monetary values of illicit drugs seized in Northern Ireland prior to 2003-04.
| Financial year | Value if illicit drugs seized (£) |
Mike Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons are for the decrease in the amount of illegally imported hand-rolling tobacco seized by HM Revenue and Customs since 2001. [234187]
Angela Eagle: The following table indicates the volumes of hand-rolling tobacco (HRT) seized between 2001 and 2007.
| Total HRT seized 2001-07 | |
| Tonnes | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1918W—continued
In any given year changes in the volume of seizures will reflect changes in attempted smuggling and the success of HMRC’s policies for tackling it. As the table illustrates, seizures were at their highest in 2001-02 following the launch of the Government’s highly successful ‘Tackling Tobacco Smuggling’ strategy in 2000. However, smugglers adapt quickly to any new measures introduced and HRT seizures levels dropped in subsequent years. As a result of further research, we identified that the
illicit HRT market and the methods used by fraudsters differed significantly from those for cigarettes, and required different responses.
Consequently, in 2006, the Government published “New responses to new challenges: Reinforcing the Tackling Tobacco Smuggling strategy”. This set out further measures to clamp down on tobacco smuggling, and, in particular, the persistent problem of smuggled HRT. This resulted in an increase in HRT seizures as shown in the table.
The new measures included the introduction in 2006 of new legislation placing obligations on tobacco manufacturers to control their supply chains. We expect this measure to have a significant impact on the illicit HRT market. However, because its objective is to reduce the availability of hand rolling tobacco to smugglers, it will not necessarily result in greater levels of seizures.
At Budget 2008, the Government announced that the new UK Border Agency, which will be taking on responsibility for Customs detection work at the border, would be developing a strategy for enhancing the detection of tobacco products. This strategy was published alongside the pre-Budget report on 24 November.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax avoidance schemes his Department has (a) disallowed and (b) prohibited in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 to date. [239397]
Mr. Timms: Neither HM Treasury nor HMRC have the power to disallow or prohibit tax avoidance schemes. However, where a scheme is covered by anti-avoidance legislation, HMRC will investigate it and recover any tax due, if necessary through the courts. And where an avoidance scheme seeks to obtain an unfair advance by exploiting a loophole in the tax system, the Government will not hesitate to close the loophole.
Recent Finance Acts have all contained measures to close various loopholes in the tax system used by avoiders. The pre-Budget report contained further measures to tackle avoidance, details of which can be found at:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/prebud_pbr08_press03.htm
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has commissioned on the use of avoidance schemes in respect of (a) income tax and (b) capital gains tax in the payment of bonuses by companies in the financial services sector in the City of London between 1997-98 and 2007-08; what estimate he has made of the levels of tax avoidance on such bonuses in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [239402]
Mr. Timms: The only estimates the Government have made of the cost of direct tax avoidance schemes during the period 199798 to 2007-08 are contained in the HMRC paper ‘Measuring the tax gap- an update’ published in March 2008. This is available on the HMRC website at:
www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/measuringtax-gap.pdf
There has been no separate research into, or estimates of, the amount of tax avoidance in the payment of bonuses by companies in the financial services sector in the City of London.
Mr. Vara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were overpaid tax credits in each of the last five years; what the amount of the average overpayment was in each year; how many of those who received overpayments were asked to repay the additional amount in each year; how many people who were asked to make repayments did so in full in each year; how many of those who declared that they were unable to repay were prosecuted in each year; and how many of those who were asked to make a repayment were informed that the whole or part of the amount due had been received in each year. [237683]
Mr. Timms: Information on the number of families who incurred overpayments and on the average overpayment in 2003-04, 2004-05,2005-06 and 2006-07 is provided in Part 2, Figure 10 of the Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, in the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) 2007-08 Accounts. This is available on the HMRC website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/hmrc-dep-acct0708.pdf
Court proceedings are only used for debt recovery as a last resort. For the number of court actions initiated between April 2006 and October 2008 inclusive I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given earlier today to the hon. Member for Cardiff Central to question 230441.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to increase penalties on professional advisers who assist clients to access tax havens. [239514]
Mr. Timms: HMRC is conducting a wide-ranging review of its powers, deterrents and safeguards. As part of this work HMRC is looking at modernising the penalties charged by HMRC and also looking at the relationship between taxpayers, their advisers and HMRC.
In the pre-Budget report, the Government announced that HMRC will be giving offshore account holders a new opportunity in 2009 to disclose, of their own accord, if they have unpaid tax or duties and to settle debts.
At the same time, the Government announced that they will shortly commission an independent review of British offshore financial centres. The review will include looking at their fiscal arrangements.
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the number of UK residents who are not domiciled in the UK for tax purposes; [239398]
(2) what estimate his Department has made of the additional revenue to the Exchequer that would have accrued in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08 in (a) income tax and (b) capital gains tax from the liability of non-domiciled residents to UK tax at the domiciled rate; [239400]
(3) what estimate he has made of the amount of (a) income tax and (b) capital gains tax foregone by the Exchequer in respect of UK residents who are not domiciled in the UK for tax purposes in the latest period for which figures are available; [239401]
(4) what research his Department has carried out on the professional status of UK residents who are not domiciled in the UK for tax purposes; and what proportion he estimates (a) are employed in financial services in the City of London, (b) work in the private equity industry and (c) act as business entrepreneurs. [239399]
Mr. Timms: The number of residents reporting to be non-domiciled in the UK via self assessment in 2005-06 was published in Table 1 of Annex B by HM Treasury in the consultation document ‘Paying a fairer share: a consultation residence and domicile’.
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/consult_residence_anddomicile061207.pdf
HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information about individual types of employment to the requested level of detail.
No estimate has been made of the income tax or capital gains that would be collected if resident non-UK domiciled individuals were taxed as if they were resident UK domiciles.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to abolish the non-domicile tax rule. [239515]
Mr. Timms: The Government legislated changes to the personal tax rules on residence and domicile in Finance Act 2008. At Budget 2008 the Government announced that these reforms would not be revisited for the rest of this Parliament or the next. This position has not changed.
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was generated by the application of basic rate tax on personal or occupational pensions in each year since 1997. [231850]
Ian Pearson: The amount of revenue from Income Tax charged on personal and occupational pensions at the basic rate depends upon, among other things, the number and value of pensions in payment as well as the of the basic width of the basic rate band. The information requested is provided below. Information prior to 1998-99 is not available.
| Tax on personal and occupational pensions (£ billion)( 1) | |
| (1) Based on modelled tax liabilities on pensions excluding the effect of tax credits which may reduce tax liability. (2) Based on the 2005-06 Survey of Personal incomes projected in line with Budget 2008 HMT assumptions. Source: Survey of Personal incomes | |
Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made to the threshold for the amount of redundancy pay that is tax-free since 1997; and what the current threshold is. [236084]
Mr. Timms: Redundancy payments are free of income tax up to £30,000. There have been no changes since 1997.
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure HM Revenue and Customs implements its flexible policy towards small businesses which are in difficulties as a result of the current business climate and cash flow problems. [236229]
Mr. Timms: The Government are determined to support businesses through these challenging economic times.
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs is committed to helping businesses that have temporary difficulties in paying the tax they owe. The new dedicated Business Payment Support Service, launched by the Chancellor in his pre-Budget Report, will ensure that businesses needing extra time to pay their tax bill can get a quick decision from HMRC. HMRC will spread payment over a timetable the business can afford. This service will be available for as long as business needs it.
The service is available seven days a week, on 0845 3021435. Lines are open 8am to 8pm during the week and 8am to 4pm at weekends.
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was claimed in expenses for taxi travel by officials from (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies in (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2005-06, (iii) 2004-05, (iv) 2003-04 and (v) 2002-03; and if he will make a statement. [227054]
Angela Eagle: For HM Treasury spend on taxis, I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the former Financial Secretary, (John Healey), on 28 June 2007 to the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois), Official Report, columns 873-874W; 7 November 2006 to the hon. Member for Monmouth (David T.C. Davies) and the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois), Official Report, columns 1021W-1022W.
Figures relating to the United Kingdom Debt Management Office are set out in the table.
| £ | |
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it a requirement for UK Financial Investments Ltd to report regularly to Parliament. [239651]
Ian Pearson: Annual reports on UKFI's performance will be laid before Parliament and the chair and Chief Executive will be available for scrutiny by the relevant parliamentary committees.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether employees of UK Financial Investments Ltd. will be eligible to (a) receive bonus payments and (b) join the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. [237381]
Ian Pearson: UK Financial Investment’s remuneration policy will be set by the Board of UKFI. UKFI employees, except those working on secondment from central Government Departments, will not be eligible to join the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate of the (a) staff numbers and (b) staffing costs of UK Financial Investments Ltd. in its first year of operation is. [237382]
Ian Pearson: UKFI will set out its staff numbers and costs in its annual report, which will be laid before Parliament.
Robert Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 29 September 2008, Official Report, column 2307-8W, on the Valuation Office: travel, if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of the Dublin meeting on valuation practice. [232856]
Mr. Timms: A copy of the minutes, of the 47(th) meeting of the steering committee on harmonisation (practice and procedure) England Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland held on 7 and 8 May 2008 in London (not Dublin), have been placed in the Library.
Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 4 November 2008, Official Report, column 313W, on the Valuation Office, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report on investigative work to assess the market coverage and support the Agency's aims. [236034]
Mr. Timms: No. The VOA provides valuation services in competition with other providers. The report relates to procurement considerations and to place it in the public domain would weaken the competitive position of the Valuation Office Agency.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1923W—continued
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims to reclaim overpaid to value added tax HM Revenue and Customs has received from bingo operators in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make statement. [239785]
Mr. Timms: HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information on overall numbers of claims for overpaid VAT across this business sector.
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the European Union's principle of fiscal neutrality applies to main stage bingo operators. [239788]
Angela Eagle: The application of VAT is generally subject to the legal principles of fiscal neutrality and equal treatment, under which similar goods or services should not usually be taxed differently where such a difference could impact upon competition. HM Revenues Customs consider that the VAT treatment of main stage bingo complies with these principles.
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether value added tax (VAT) will have to be repaid to bingo operators following the recent VAT and duties tribunal concerning Rank Group. [239789]
Mr. Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) disagree with the decision of the Tribunal in this case, and have submitted an appeal to the High Court. This appeal is due to be heard early next year. Pending the outcome, HMRC does not plan to refund VAT to any other bingo operators.
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many value added tax (VAT) default surcharges have been issued by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at the (a) 2 per cent., (b) 5 per cent., (c) 10 per cent. and (d) 15 per cent. rate to small and medium-sized businesses as a result of (i) failure of HMRC to receive their VAT return and (ii) failure of HMRC to receive VAT payment in each of the last four financial quarters; and if he will make a statement. [238673]
Mr. Timms: Under current legislation HM Revenue and Customs issue VAT Default Surcharges only when tax is paid late. During the last 12 month period for which figures are available, they issued 305,610 surcharges, broken down as follows.
| Surcharges issued | ||||
| Financial quarter ended | 2 per cent. | 5 per cent. | 10 per cent. | 15 per cent. |
Reliable information is not readily available on the default surcharges issued to businesses of different size and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
As my right hon. Friend announced in the pre-Budget report that no penalties or surcharges will be applied once a “time to pay” arrangement has been agreed.
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many consultations have been requested by small and medium-sized businesses with HM Revenue and Customs Advice Centre to defer payment of value added tax in each of the last four financial quarters; how many have resulted in payment being deferred in each quarter; and if he will make a statement. [238674]
Mr. Timms: The information requested is not available.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many individuals with an annual income of (a) between £30,000 and £40,000, (b) between £40,000 and £50,000, (c) between £50,000 and £60,000 and (d) over £60,000 received tax credits in each year since the introduction of tax credits; and if he will make a statement; [235884]
(2) how much has been claimed in tax credits (a) in total and (b) on average from individuals with an annual income of (i) between £30,000 and £40,000, (ii) between £40,000 and £50,000, (iii) between £50,000 and £60,000 and (iv) over £60,000 in each year since the introduction of tax credits; and if he will make a statement. [235885]
Mr. Timms: Information on the average number of in-work families benefiting from tax credits, in each of the specified bands of income used to taper awards, is provided in the following table, along with the average and total entitlements of these families. This information is based on final family incomes and circumstances for each year.
| Range of income used to taper awards (£) | Number of families (thousand) | Average entitlement (£) | Total entitlement (£ million) | |
Jenny Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's estimate is of the effect on receipts to the Exchequer of increasing the taper rate on tax credits to (a) 46 per cent., (b) 45 per cent., (c) 44 per cent. and (d) 43 per cent. in 2009; what his estimate is of the number of people who would no longer be eligible for tax credits in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238778]
Mr. Timms: The estimated saving, in 2009-10, of increasing the first taper rate of tax credits to the rates requested, is provided in the following table. No account has been taken of possible behavioural effects.
| First Taper Rate (percentage) | Effect on expenditure (£m) |
These changes would increase the number of claimants with awards reduced to zero.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual cases of tax credit overpayments his Department has taken to court to seek recovery in (a) each month of 2008-09 to date and (b) each year from 2003-04 to 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. [230441]
Mr. Timms: HM Revenue and Customs initiates court action only as a last resort where all attempts to contact the customer have failed.
The number of court actions initiated through county court (England and Wales)(1), Sheriffs court (Scotland) and magistrates Court (Northern Ireland) for 2006-07, 2007-08 and for each month of 2008-09 to October 2008 for the recovery of tax credit overpayments are in the following table. The information for years prior to 2006-07 is not available.
(1) For England and Wales these figures relate only to actions commenced centrally and exclude actions commenced by local HMRC debt pursuit offices where it is not possible to readily disaggregate tax credit cases from the total number of local initiated court actions.
| Court cases | |
The figure for 2006-07 corrects information I gave on 3 May 2007, Official Report, column 1810W, in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws).
The 2006-07 figure includes a total of 1,671 cases where HM Revenue and Customs initiated court action in Northern Ireland for the recovery of tax credit overpayments. This corrects information given on 12 July 2007, Official R eport, column 1589W, in answer to the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson).
I very much regret these inadvertent errors which have only just come to light.
Margaret Moran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of families claiming working tax credit in Luton South constituency have been asked to repay all or part of the credit received. [240040]
Mr. Timms: Estimates of the number of families with tax credit awards, including information on overpayments, by constituency, based on final family circumstances and incomes, are available in the HMRC publications ‘Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised Annual Awards. Supplement on Payments. Geographical Analyses’, for each relevant year. These publications are available on the HMRC website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm
HMRC do not produce these statistics separately for child tax credit and working tax credit.
Margaret Moran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many and what proportion of persons entitled to (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit in Luton South constituency claimed each credit in each year since the inception of such tax credits; [240050]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of persons entitled to (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit in Luton South constituency who have not claimed each credit in each year since the inception of such tax credits; [240051]
Mr. Timms: Estimates of tax credit take-up rates are not available at constituency level. However, estimates of take-up rates for in-work families with children, at a country and regional level, for 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06, are available in Table 9 of the HMRC publication ‘Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit Take-up rates’, for each relevant year. These publications are available on the HMRC website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/persona4tax-credits/cwtc-take-up.htm.
Estimates of the average number of families benefiting from tax credits in each constituency, based on final family circumstances and incomes, are available in the HMRC publication ‘Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised annual awards. Geographical analyses’, for each relevant year. These publications are available on the HMRC website at:
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1927W—continued
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personaltax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.
HMRC do not produce these statistics separately for child tax credit and working tax credit.
Bob Russell: Toask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will assess the effect on small businesses of the proposed EU Regulation on the Placing of Plant Protection Products, with particular reference to business in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [236971]
Huw Irranca-Davies: I have been asked to reply.
The Pesticides Safety Directorate's risk assessment published in May this year (a copy of which has been placed in the library of the House) identified the main agronomic impacts of the key ‘cut off criteria’ provision within the Commission's proposal. That assessment also included an analysis of the amendments proposed at first reading by the European Parliament. The predicted impacts on pesticide availability were significant for all arable farmers, including small farmers.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made by (a) air and (b) rail. [239423]
Mr. McFadden: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
Mike Penning: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) how many new businesses were started in (a) Hemel Hempstead, (b) Hertfordshire and (c) the UK in each year since 2001; [238108]
(2) how many VAT registered businesses there were in (a) Hemel Hempstead, (b) Hertfordshire and (c) the UK in each year since 1994. [238107]
Ian Pearson: The numbers of businesses registering for VAT and the total number of VAT registered businesses in Hemel Hempstead constituency, Hertfordshire county and the UK are shown in the following tables. Data for the number of VAT registrations during 2007 and the total number of VAT registered businesses at the start of 2008 will be available 28 November 2008.
| VAT registrations (indicator of business start-ups) | |||
| United Kingdom | Hertfordshire county | Hemel Hempstead constituency | |
| Start of year VAT stock( 1) | |||
| United Kingdom | Hertfordshire county | Hemel Hempstead constituency | |
| (1 )Although start of year stock data is available for 2007, data on new VAT registrations during 2007 will not be available until 28 November 2008. Source: BERR National Statistics publication “Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006” available at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm | |||
The total number of VAT registered businesses in the UK increased from 1,621,760 at the start of 1994 to 1,956,750 at the start of 2007, an increase of 334,990 (21 per cent.). The total number of VAT registered businesses in Hertfordshire increased from 33,375 at the start of 1994 to 42,480 at the start of 2007, an increase of 9,105 (27 per cent.). The total number of VAT registered businesses in Hemel Hempstead constituency increased from 2,735 at the start of 1994 to 3,480 at the start of 2007, an increase of 755 (28 per cent.).
VAT registrations do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was £60,000 at the start of 2006. Only 1.9 million out of 4.5 million UK enterprises (43 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2006.
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much funding his Government provided to the Business Link network in each year since 1997. [231956]
Ian Pearson: From the DTI and HMRC Annual Reports and Accounts the total cost of the Business Link service over the period from 1997 to 2005 was as follows:
| Cost of Business Link service (£ million) | |
In 2005, responsibility for managing Business Link face-to-face services was transferred to the RDAs and the budget of £142 million was added to the Department's contribution towards the RDA “Single-Pot”. This allows the regions to draw down as much or as little funding as they see fit to deliver Business Link services in their areas.
In addition to the single pot, the spend on delivering Business Link support services such as the national telephone number, publications, marketing, communications, PR and on-line services since 2005 was as follows:
| Spend on delivering Business Lind support services (£ million) | |
In each year, all bar £1.7 million was spent on delivering on-line business support services to customers.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many VAT registered businesses there were in the City of York (a) constituency and (b) local authority area in each year since 1994. [237057]
Ian Pearson: VAT registration data provide the only accurate indicator of the number of VAT-registered business at the start of each calendar year.
The number of businesses registered for VAT in City York constituency and in York unitary authority area between the start of 1997 and at the start of 2007 is shown in the following tables. Data for the number of VAT-registered businesses at the start of 2008 will be available 28 November 2008.
| City of York constituency: VAT-registered business | |
| VAT-registered business at start of year | |
| York unitary authority: VAT-registered business | |
| VAT-registered business at start of year | |
| Source: BERR National Statistics publication ‘Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006’ available at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1931W—continued
The number of VAT-registered businesses in City of York constituency rose from 2,120 at the start of 1994 to 2,630 at the start of 2007—a rise of 24 per cent. compared with a rise of 28 per cent. in York Unitary Authority, and an average rise of 21 per cent. across the UK.
VAT registrations do not capture ail business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was £60,000 at the start of 2006. Only 1.9 million out of 4.5 million UK enterprises (43 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2006.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months. [237494]
Mr. McFadden: The Department expenditure on Christmas cards in 2007 was £1,020.81. This includes purchase and printing. Expenditure on Christmas decorations was £1,804. Staff Christmas parties are not paid for from departmental funds.
The sending of Christmas cards at public expense is governed by the principles of Managing Public Money, regulated by departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety and must be in pursuit of specific departmental objectives.
I have asked the chief executives of Companies House and the Insolvency Service to respond to the hon. Member directly.
I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Minister of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
The amount spent on Christmas cards, parties and decorations in the last twelve months is as follows:
| £ | |
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 26 November 2008:
The Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply to your question (2007/4595), how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months.
The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform made the following payments towards the cost of Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months.
| £ | |
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruit to be served by his Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers. [239545]
Mr. McFadden [holding answer 25 November 2008]: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department has taken to improve its arrangements for co-ordination with other Government Departments of policy affecting coastal towns in the last two years. [238652]
Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) leads on sponsorship of the nine English regional development agencies (RDAs). The RDAs have an important role to play, with other partners, in helping coastal areas in their regions to achieve their full economic potential as part of wider regional strategies to deliver sustainable growth.
The Department is contributing to the work of the RDA-led Coastal Towns Network, which includes local authorities and other regeneration practitioners from the public and private sector.
Last year, the then-DTI held a policy seminar on coastal towns, to provide a forum for discussion of the problems facing coastal towns and to investigate the best ways in which those problems might be addressed.
The Department is represented on a cross-departmental working group on coastal towns set up in February 2008 to provide a forum for improving cross-government understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing coastal towns, including economic development outcomes.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) for what reason he has decided to review the Consumer Council for Water; [239405]
(2) what role the Consumer Council for Water has in the regular Ofwat review of charges. [239404]
Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239665]
Mr. McFadden: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member before Prorogation.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent estimate he has made of the level of personal debt in Scotland. [239620]
Mr. Thomas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what contractors his Department uses to undertake cleaning duties; and what the hourly rates of pay are for cleaners working in the Department. [223281]
Mr. McFadden: [holding answer 10 September 2008]: GBM Services Ltd is the contractor employed on the BERR HQ Estate to undertake cleaning services. The current hourly rate of pay for the cleaning staff is £5.75.
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what external speakers his Department and its agencies have paid since 1 January 2005; how much each was paid; and on what dates they spoke. [237599]
Mr. McFadden [holding answer 20 November 2008]: The External Speaker Programme run by the events team in Internal Communications began in December 2007. Since then we have had 22 external speakers visit BERR.
While we pay for speaker's travelling expenses if requested we do not pay for their services.
We do not keep central records of all the external speakers who have visited the Department since 2005 and to gather this information would mean incurring disproportionate costs.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department, its predecessor and its agencies have spent on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years. [237438]
Mr. McFadden: The following figures show information relating to the purchase and installation of flat screen TV's and associated equipment (which may include some DVD players) by BERR's and its predecessors Estates and Communications teams in 2006, 2007 and 2008 to date. Information is not held centrally for any similar purchases made by other individual Directorates within the Department, nor can we separate purchase from installation costs. To attempt to provide both would incur disproportionate costs.
| £ | |
I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies
House and they will respond to you directly.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 26 November 2008:
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply directly to you in respect of your question (2007/4593) asking how much his Department, its predecessor and its agencies have spent on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years.
The Insolvency Service, an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has spent the following amounts on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years:
| £ | |||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 26 November 2008:
I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Minister of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
Companies House has spent £1,789.52 on televisions in 2008. No other televisions, DVD players or stereo equipment have been purchased in the last three years.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department’s agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. [238428]
Mr. McFadden: The numbers of civil servants employed in BERR agencies from 1997-08 to 2007-08; these data are already available on the ONS and Cabinet Office websites.
The data for 2007 and 2006 are available on the ONS website in the following links:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=2899&Pos=&ColRank=l&Rank=422
The 2007 data can be found in Civil Service Statistics 2007 First Release (Table 11).
The 2006 data can be found in Civil Service Statistics 2006 (Reconciliation Table).
Prior to 2006 the data was collected by Cabinet Office and can be found in the following link:
http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/statistics/archive/index.asp
The numbers of civil servants employed in BERR is non-departmental public bodies in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08; with only a couple of exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in Executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office “Public Bodies” publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08. [237461]
Mr. McFadden: The Department has one member of staff responsible for managing the Department's brand. This includes the publication and dissemination of the brand guidelines and advising on their application. It is estimated that 25 per cent. of this person's time is spent on branding related activities. Based on the average pay costs for a member of staff at this grade, this represents a staff cost of approximately £10,512 in 2007-08.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been in the last 12 months. [238163]
Mr. McFadden: Nothing. Special advisers in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform are not provided with Government cars.
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the effect on his Department’s expenditure would be of increasing the employee contribution to each pension scheme for which his Department is responsible by one per cent.; and if he will make a statement. [200704]
Mr. Thomas: The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is not directly responsible for a public sector pension scheme.
BERR’s Accounting Officer has responsibility for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Pension Scheme. UKAEA’s pension expenditure may or may not be affected by increasing the employee contribution by 1 per cent. dependant upon actuarial valuation. In 2007-08 the employee contributions to the UKAEA pension schemes amounted to £24.2million.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1935W—continued
John Thurso: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate has been made of expenditure incurred to date by (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies in seeking to achieve public service agreement one as set out in the 2007 comprehensive spending review. [239554]
Mr. Thomas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Reform how much his Department and its predecessors have spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [238510]
Mr. McFadden: The Department does not centrally collect the information sought and to provide it would entail disproportionate cost.
Statistical surveys to businesses and local authorities conducted by the Department and its agencies are monitored centrally to facilitate control of compliance costs to business and departmental expenditure on survey activity. It is not possible, however, to determine with any degree of accuracy which surveys fall into the categories of focus groups or market and opinion research, or which contain an element of these. The answer would incur disproportionate cost because of the need to ask all directorates in BERR, plus agencies and associated non-departmental public bodies, to attempt to provide details of each survey and piece of research commissioned since 1997.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what proportion of the working week he expects the Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting to spend on his Department's business. [225916]
Mr. McFadden: The Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (joint Minister with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport) expects to spend approximately 50 per cent. of his working week on BERR business.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the likely effect of the transfer of his responsibilities for energy to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on his science budget; and if he will make a statement. [233215]
Mr. McFadden:
Following a Machinery of Government change announced in June 2007, the responsibility for science and the science budget transferred from the
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many Questions for written answer were tabled to his Department and its predecessor in Session (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04, (c) 2004-05, (d) 2005-06, (e) 2006-07 and (f) 2007-08 to date; and how many were (i) answered substantively and (ii) not answered on grounds of disproportionate cost. [235402]
Mr. McFadden: The information, which is available on the Parliamentary Information Management System (PIMS) was, at 18 November 2008, as follows:
| Session | Number of written questions tabled | Of which: Received a Prorogation reply | Of which: Cited disproportionate cost |
| (1) Of which 2,100 DTI and 813 BERR | |||
Mrs. Riordan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans his Department has to encourage the purchase of television sets which support integrated digital television. [223104]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 10 September 2008]: By the end of March 2008(1), four out of five of the televisions sold were digital, up from 73 per cent. in December 2007. Major stores have committed to not stocking analogue-only television equipment. The digital switchover certification mark (the ‘digital tick’ logo), owned by the Secretary of State, indicates products such as integrated digital television sets which are designed to work through switchover. By July 2008 85 per cent. of retailers (by volume of TV and set top box sales) were using the ‘digital tick’ logo and 76 per cent. of people are aware of the ‘digital tick’ and what it means. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations which came into force on 26 May 2008 forbid retailers and manufacturers from misleading consumers, including by omitting information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision. This would include any retailer not telling a potential purchaser of an analogue-only TV that it would not be capable of handling broadcasts when the analogue transmissions were switched off without the addition of a digital adaptor box. This example is included by the OFT in their guidance on the application of the Consumer Protection Regulations. We will keep the developments in the market under review, but currently do not consider that further action to encourage the purchase of integrated digital television sets (as opposed to analogue-only televisions) is needed.
(1) The UK Communications Market 2008, Ofcom, published 14 August 2008 encourage the purchase of integrated digital television sets (as opposed to analogue-only televisions) is needed.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received on the adequacy of the provisions of the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive in preventing electronic goods being discarded in developing nations under the guise of second-hand goods; and if he will make a statement. [236305]
Ian Pearson: Article 6(5) of the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) directive requires that any movement of WEEE from a member state or out of the Community for recycling be undertaken in line with the requirements of the Waste Shipments Regulation. The environment agencies are the competent authorities for the export of waste controls in the UK and take any necessary enforcement action against illegal exports of WEEE in accordance with its published enforcement and prosecution policy.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department has spent on ensuring the UK’s compliance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive since it came into effect. [237236]
Ian Pearson: The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive was implemented in the UK via the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations. The Regulations came into force in January 2007 and since that date the Department has spent £4.7 million to cover the associated enforcement costs.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what consideration his Department has given to the collection of data under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive on the amount of material that goes to landfill. [237859]
Ian Pearson: There are no requirements under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive for the collection of data on the amount of material which goes to landfill. However the directive does require member states to maximise the collection of separately collected WEEE, which should result in reduced amounts being sent for landfill. The UK WEEE Regulations reflect this requirement.
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will make an assessment of the implications for the UK of the findings of the recent United Nations Environment Programme report on the economic benefits of investing in green jobs. [232158]
Ian Pearson: The Government warmly welcome the report “Green Jobs: Towards Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World” by the United Nations Environment Programme.
In the Manufacturing Strategy published in September 2008 the Government committed itself to produce a Low Carbon Industrial Strategy in 2009. The strategy will look at the scale and scope of the low carbon economy, future scenarios and how companies can take advantage of the growing market opportunities.
Adam Price: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what changes have been proposed by other EU member states in EU discussions to the budgets and co-financing rules of the European Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund as a result of the global economic downturn. [239179]
Mr. McFadden [holding answer 25 November 2008]: The European Commission intend to publish on the 26 November 2008 a comprehensive EU recovery plan to help address the global economic downturn. An element of this plan will cover proposals for the European Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund which may have implications for budgets and co-financing rules. Member states will subsequently discuss these proposals in the relevant Working Groups before any Council decisions are agreed.
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require all energy suppliers to offer social tariffs based on minimum standards; and if he will make a statement. [224275]
Joan Ruddock [holding answer 17 September 2008]: I have been asked to reply.
All suppliers now offer programmes of assistance to vulnerable customers. Allowing companies to act voluntarily has encouraged innovation and competition between them to offer the most attractive social programmes to consumers. Mandating a social tariff would stifle this innovation and could increase energy prices for the remaining majority of consumers, including those on low and modest incomes and therefore would need to be considered carefully.
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent assessment he has made of the effects of the rise in the price of domestic energy during 2008 on the effectiveness and operation of the Fuel Poverty Strategy; and if he will make a statement. [224273]
Joan Ruddock
[holding answer 17 September 2008]: Our latest official figures are for 2006 and although they show a fall in the number of households in fuel poverty by 3 million in the UK since 1996, numbers are now increasing primarily due to energy price rises. The 2006 figures show that across the UK, approximately 3.5 million households were in fuel poverty (of which around 2.75 million were vulnerable households), an
increase of around 1 million on 2005. In England in 2006, there were around 2.4 million fuel poor households, of which around 1.9 million were vulnerable. The full report can be found at:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file48036.pdf.
The statistical annex to this report gives indicative projections for fuel poverty in England. These show an estimated further 1.2 million households moving into fuel poverty between 2006 and 2008, largely due to fuel price increases.
The Government continue to keep fuel poverty policies under constant review.
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many laptops that were leased to employees under the home computing initiative had been upgraded by employers; and what the average cost of upgrading the laptops was. [235151]
Mr. McFadden: The Department did not require this level of detail on how many laptops leased to employees had been upgraded under the home computing initiative scheme. This information would only be held by employers who ran home computing initiative schemes.
That said, very few employers had the chance to run multiple schemes. As the programme was launched in 2004, most schemes had not ended by the time the 1999 tax exemption was removed in March 2006 (as they ran typically for three years). It is very unlikely that many were upgraded following the removal of the tax exemption.
Helen Southworth: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will take steps to ensure that broadband customers receive the level of service advertised by their broadband provider. [223812]
Ian Pearson: The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the chief executive’s letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Greg Clark: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what role Ministers in his Department had in shortlisting companies bidding to provide electric and low carbon vehicles to public bodies under the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform. [234717]
Ian Pearson: Ministers were not involved in decisions on the shortlisting of companies bidding to provide lower carbon and all-electric vans to the public sector under the Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Vehicle Public Procurement Programme.
Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many complaints his Department has received on the quality of work undertaken by gas fitters in each of the last 10 years; how many prosecutions have been brought concerning illegal installations by gas fitters in that time; and how many of those prosecutions have been successful. [237052]
Jonathan Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
Table 1 shows the number of gas related complaints received by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) since 1999-2000 (the earliest year for which figures are available). These figures include, but do not solely relate to, complaints in relation to poor installation work because HSE has a single recording system for gas safety complaints. Therefore, the figures include:
1. Complaints or concerns received directly from tenants, or indirectly from local authority (LA) housing sector inspectors, Energywatch (the Gas and Electricity Consumers Council) or the gas installer registration body CORGI, about landlords failing to comply with their gas safety duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998;
2. Complaints received directly from members of the public about the standards of workmanship of gas fitters (registered or not) who have installed appliances; or indirectly referred by consumer bodies such as Energywatch acting on their behalf;
3. Information and/or complaints from CORGI about the activities of unregistered installers;
4. Complaints or reports that manufacturers of commercial catering equipment or industrial space heaters do not meet the requirements of the Gas Appliances (Safety) Regulations 1995.
| Table 1 | |
| Number of gas complaints | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1941W—continued
Table 2 shows the number of prosecution cases and individual offences brought by HSE concerning both illegal gas installations and unregistered gas workers since 1 April 1999 (the earliest date for which figures are available). The prosecutions are for breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, or their predecessor Regulations. A prosecution case can be brought for more than one offence. A successful prosecution of a case occurs when there is a guilty conviction against one or more of the offences heard by the courts.
| Table 2 | ||||
| Number of prosecution cases concluded (including for more than one offence) | Number of successful prosecutions | Number of individual offences prosecuted | Number of individual convictions | |
Mrs. Maria Miller: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans are in place to inform users of gas and solid fuel energy that the gas fitter registration scheme will from April be run by Capita and not Corgi; what estimate his Department has made of the expenditure required to establish the new registration brand; and what monitoring his Department undertake of awareness of the new registration brand. [237053]
Jonathan Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
Raising awareness of the new Capita operated gas installer registration scheme is a key feature in the contract the organisation has entered into with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Capita is required to have a clear marketing and communications plan to achieve this. This is in place and a substantial sum has been earmarked for its delivery. Capita will address the cost; there is no cost to public funds. Capita's performance in relation to promoting awareness of the new gas safety brand will be judged by HSE against a key performance indicator agreed in the contract. That performance will be measured by a variety of techniques to determine the unprompted brand awareness of the new registration scheme among gas consumers.
Damian Green: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many new businesses were started in (a) Kent and (b) Ashford constituency in each year since 2001. [236873]
Ian Pearson: The numbers of businesses registering for VAT and the total number of VAT registered businesses in the county of Kent and in Ashford constituency are shown in the following tables.
Data for the number of VAT registrations during 2007 will be available 28 November 2008.
| VAT registrations | ||||||
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |
| Start of year VAT stock( 2) | |||||||
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
| (1) Kent county excludes Medway unitary authority (2) Although start of year stock data is available for 2007, data on new VAT registrations during 2007 will not be available until 28 November 2008. Source: BERR National Statistics publication ‘Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006’ available at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm | |||||||
Although the number of new registrations has fluctuated since 2001, the total number of VAT registered businesses in Kent increased from 40,705 at the start of 2001 to 45,980 at the start of 2007, an increase of 5,275 (13 per cent.). The total number of VAT registered businesses in Ashford constituency increased from 4,040 at the start of 2001 to 4,550 at the start of 2007, an increase of 510 (13 per cent.).
VAT registrations do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was £60,000 at the start of 2006. Only 1.9 million out of 4.5 million UK enterprises (43 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2006.
Derek Wyatt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his plans are for the future of Nominet; and if he will make a statement. [239260]
Mr. McFadden: The Government have no current proposals in relation to Nominet. Officials in the Department have written to the company seeking clarification of how the present governance of the company reflects the wider stakeholder interest in Nominet's activities in regard to the management of .co.uk Domain Name System. We understand that the company has commissioned an independent review in order to reply fully to that request. We look forward to the outcome of that review.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many social enterprises there were in each of the principal seaside towns on the latest date for which figures are available; and what percentage of all businesses in each town this represents. [238666]
Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
The most recent figures suggest there are at least 55,000 social enterprises in the UK. However, social enterprises are not defined by particular legal forms and as a result are not required to register with any one body. Information on the number of social enterprises in each of the principal seaside towns; and what percentage of all businesses this represents in each town, is therefore unavailable.
Mr. Leech: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much compensation the private firms affected by the Government’s decision to withdraw the Post Office Card Account contract from tender will receive. [237569]
Ms Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
The other bidders who were still in the competition at the point at which it was halted will be reimbursed for their reasonable bid costs. The precise amounts payable will be subject to commercial confidentiality.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether his Department issues guidance to the Stamp Advisory Committee on its work. [233090]
Mr. McFadden: Operational matters, which include decisions relating to Royal Mail’s stamps, are the direct responsibility of the company’s management.
The Department for Business (BERR) does not issue any guidance to Royal Mail’s Stamp Advisory Committee. Royal Mail’s special stamps are governed in accordance with criteria which have been developed and established by the company. As the Government Department responsible for postal affairs, BERR would, as a matter of course, review any proposed changes to the criteria before progressing the company’s proposal to Buckingham Palace for formal agreement.
The Stamp Advisory Committee is run by Royal Mail to review stamp designs commissioned by the company under themes for its stamps programme. The Committee includes representatives of the stamp collecting community, of the design and arts community, of the public, and a representative from BERR.
Mr. Leech: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many applications for funding under the Government’s Small Firms Guarantee Scheme have been refused in each year since 2003. [233652]
Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 October 2008, Official Report, column 762W, Small Firms Loan Guarantee.
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many small to medium-sized enterprises were registered in (a) Southampton, (b) the Test Valley borough and (c) Eastleigh borough and (d) Romsey constituency in each of the last five years. [239843]
Ian Pearson: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
John Battle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many small to medium sized enterprises were registered in the Leeds West constituency between 1997 and 2008. [238803]
Ian Pearson: VAT registration data provide the only accurate indicator of the number of VAT-registered business at the start of each calendar year.
The number of businesses registered for VAT in Leeds West constituency for the start of 1997 to at the start of 2007 is shown in the table below. Data for the number of VAT-registered businesses at the start of 2008 will be available 28 November 2008.
Only data for businesses of all sizes registered for VAT is published by BERR. However, it is estimated that the majority (97.9 per cent) of these will be small (with fewer than 50 employees) and 1.7 per cent will be medium-sized (with 50-249 employees).
| Number of VAT-registered businesses in Leeds West parliamentary constituency | |
| Start of year stock of VAT-registered businesses | |
| Source: BERR National Statistics publication ‘Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006’ available at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm | |
The number of VAT-registered businesses in Leeds West parliamentary constituency rose from 1,285 at the start of 1997 to 1,645 at the start of 2007—a rise of 28 per cent. compared with an average rise of nearly 20 per cent. across UK.
VAT registrations do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was £61,000 at the start of 2007. Only 1.96 million out of 4.7 million UK enterprises (42 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2007.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1945W—continued
Mr. Kemp: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many and what proportion of businesses in (a) the North East and (b) each parliamentary constituency in the North East are small businesses. [235901]
Ian Pearson: BERR SME Statistics provide the most comprehensive data on the number of small businesses in the UK. These statistics include VAT and PAYE-registered employers as well as estimates of the unregistered business population.
Businesses are classified as small if they have between zero and 49 employees. The following table the number of small business and the proportion of businesses which are small in the North East at the start of 2007. Data for 2008 will be available in summer 2009.
| Small Businesses in the North East | |
| Number/percentage | |
| Source: BERR SME Statistics 2007 http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/sme/ | |
Since 1997, the number of small business in the North East has increased by 38 per cent.
A breakdown by parliamentary constituency is not available from BERR SME Statistics. However, The Office for National Statistics UK Business publication provides a breakdown of businesses registered for VAT and/or PAYE by size and parliamentary constituency. Since ONS statistics include only the registered business population, they exclude the very smallest businesses. The figures are therefore lower than the BERR SME Statistics.
The following table shows the number and proportion of small business in the North East and in each parliamentary constituency in the North East as of March 2008.
| Region or parliamentary constituency | Number of registered small businesses | Proportion of registered businesses which are small (percentage) |
| Source: Office for National Statistics—“UK Business: Activity, Size and Location—2008” http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=933 | ||
Alan Duncan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (1) what the total value of loans (a) applied for and (b) made under the Small Firms Loan Guarantee was in each of the last five years; and what the average value of such loans was in each year; [229060]
(2) how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful applications for the Small Firms Loan Guarantee have been submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises in each of the last five years. [229065]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 22 October 2008]: For figures on the value and volume of loans made under the Small Firms Loan Guarantee in each of the last five years, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 October 2008, Official Report, column 942W, to the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Leech).
Small Firms Loan Guarantee Annual Reports to Parliament 2006-07 and 2007-08, set out the average loan value for these years. The Industrial Development Act 1982 Annual Report for the years ended 31 March 2004 (HC 787), 31 March 2005 (HC 207), 31 March 2006 (HC 1292) sets out the value and volume of lending for 2003-04; 2004-05; 2005-06 inclusive. Copies of both reports have been placed in the Library of the House.
Alan Duncan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many successful applications for the Small Firms Loan Guarantee have been made in each of the last five years in the (a) communication and IT, (b) construction, (c) hotels and catering, (d) manufacturing and production, (e) property and business services, (f) sport, health and education, (g) wholesale and retail and (h) other sectors. [229062]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 22 October 2008]: Figures on the number of loans by sector made under the Government’s Small Firms Loan Guarantee during 2006-07 and 2007-08 are published in the SFLG Annual Report to Parliament 2007-08. Copies of the reports have been placed in the Library of the House.
Alan Duncan:
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether the economic impact evaluation of the
Small Firms Loan Guarantee referred to in his Department’s Annual Report 2008 has been completed; and when it will be published. [237409]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 24 November 2008]: The latest economic impact evaluation of SFLG is in progress. The results will be published in spring 2009.
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he expects Smarta to go live. [231954]
Ian Pearson: The SMARTA website is a private sector enterprise, of which the Department is aware but has no direct involvement in its day-to-day operations.
Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what percentage of the economy the clothing and textiles industry accounts for. [223832]
Ian Pearson: The clothing and textiles industry contributed £3.4 billion gross valued added to the UK economy in 2006, which is 0.3 per cent. of the total.
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when the Shareholder Executive’s assessment of trading funds will be published; and if he will make a statement. [236338]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 17 November 2008]: The ministerial policy decision on the first phase of the Trading Funds Assessment—together with the basis for that decision—will be communicated by the end of the year.
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions Ministers and officials in his Department have had with the Shareholder Executive on their assessment of trading funds. [236339]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 17 November 2008]: Officials from different parts of BERR are working closely with the Shareholder Executive on the Trading Funds Assessment and are represented on the Trading Funds Assessment Steering Group. There have been regular discussions on the Assessment between officials and BERR and other Ministers.
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether the Shareholder Executive’s assessment of trading funds is intended to provide a clear definition of the public task of trading funds. [236340]
Ian Pearson
[holding answer 17 November 2008]: The Trading Funds Assessment is intended to clarify government policy on re-use of information produced by the Trading Funds under consideration—both within and outside their public task—taking into account any impact on
the business model of the organisations concerned. In some cases, the assessment may recommend change to the public task of the organisation or change to the governance mechanism by which it is defined.
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether the Shareholder Executive team carrying out the assessment of trading funds has discussed that assessment with the Office of Fair Trading. [236341]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 17 November 2008]: The Office of Fair Trading is represented on the Trading Funds Assessment Steering Group and the Shareholder Executive team is working closely with the OFT throughout the Assessment.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many businesses based in Vale of Clwyd constituency were registered for VAT in (a) 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [235558]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 12 November 2008]: The number of businesses registered for VAT in Vale of Clwyd at the start of 1997 and at the start of 2007 is shown in the following table. Data for the number of VAT-registered businesses at the start of 2008 will be available 28 November 2008.
| Number of VAT-registered businesses | ||
| 1997 | 2007 | |
| Source: BERR National Statistics publication ‘Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006’ available at: http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm. | ||
The number of VAT-registered businesses in Vale of Clwyd rose from 1,650 at the start of 1997 to 1,735 at the start of 2007—a rise of 5 per cent. compared with an average rise of nearly 10 per cent across UK.
VAT registrations do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was £61,000 at the start of 2007. Only 1.96 million out of 4.7 million UK enterprises (42 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2007.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many VAT (a) registrations and (b) de- registrations there were in the City of York (i) constituency and (ii) local authority area in each year since 1994. [237056]
Ian Pearson: VAT registration data provide the only accurate indicator of the number of VAT-registered business at the start of each calendar year.
The number of businesses registering for VAT and the number of businesses de-registering in City of York constituency and in York Unitary Authority are shown in the following tables. Data for the number of VAT registrations and VAT de-registrations during 2007 will be available 28 November 2008.
| City of York constituency: VAT registrations and de-registrations | ||
| Registrations | De-registrations | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1950W—continued
| York u nitary authority: VAT registrations and de-registrations | ||
| Registrations | De-registrations | |
| Source: BERR National Statistics publication ‘Business start-ups and closures: VAT registrations and de-registrations 2006’ available at: httD://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat/index.htm | ||
The number of new VAT registrations exceeded the number of de-registrations in every year since 1997 in both the City of York constituency and in York Unitary Authority.
VAT registrations do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was £60,000 at the start of 2006. Only 1.9 million out of 4.5 million UK enterprises (43 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2006.
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he will respond to the letter to the Secretary of State dated 8th September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms H. Mooney. [231192]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
I apologise for the delay in responding. A reply was sent on 28 October 2008.
5. Laura Moffatt: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what progress she has made on providing emergency funding support for rape crisis centres. [238586]
Maria Eagle: 19 rape crisis centres have been awarded grants from the second and final round of this special fund, to a total of nearly £706,000, ensuring that they have been able to remain open.
The Government continue to step up on action to tackle the menace of rape and bring offenders to justice. The latest figures show that in 2006 there were nearly 800 convictions for rape, compared to just over 500 in 1997, an increase of over 45 per cent.
9. John Robertson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps she plans to take to encourage individuals who are victims of domestic violence to seek assistance to prevent continued abuse. [238590]
Maria Eagle: Providing support services for victims of domestic violence is central to the Governments’ National Domestic Violence Plan. Services include provision of Government funding for a network of national telephone helplines as well as ensuring that multi-agency risk assessment conferences are established across England and Wales by 2011.
Lynne Featherstone:
To ask the Minister for Women and Equality whether the plans outlined in section seven of the Government’s Draft Legislative Programme in relation to improved data collection on
equality include collecting data on discrimination based on age, with particular reference to children and young people under 18; and if she will make a statement. [221127]
Maria Eagle: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation. I will write when the information is available.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) her Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since its inception; what the target rates set for her Department are in each case; and if she will make a statement. [238928]
Maria Eagle: The Government Equalities Office (GEO) was established on 12 October 2007. Since its inception the GEO has a sick absence rate of 6.6 average working days lost per year. This figure also includes staff working in the Women’s National Commission. As a new Department we do not yet have sufficient data or trends to set a realistic target for our sick absence rate but as an interim measure we are working towards the cabinet office guideline of 6.5 average working days lost per year. The Department does not keep any central records which record the rates of other, non-sickness-related absences. Absence on holidays and any special leave are managed between individuals and their line managers, against individually contracted allowances.
The rate of sickness absence for the Equality and Human Rights Commission since 1 October 2007 is an average of 7.71 working days lost per employee per year. This is against a target rate for the Commission of seven working days per employee. The Commission is introducing a number of attendance management initiatives to reduce its sickness absence level in line with the target. The EHRC is undergoing a period of change and transition. In such circumstances absences may be higher than expected.
As context for these figures, the 2008 survey of absence from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) shows a Public Sector absence average of 9.8 working days lost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many civil servants have been employed by each of the Government Equalities Office and non-departmental bodies in each year since its inception; and if she will make a statement. [239097]
Maria Eagle: The Government Equalities Office (GEO) sponsors the Equality and Human Rights Commission, an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB). Executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office “Public Bodies” publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
The GEO also sponsors the Women’s National Commission, an advisory NDPB. Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much (a) the Government Equalities Office and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since its inception; and if she will make a statement. [239055]
Maria Eagle: Since its inception on 12 October 2007, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) has spent £31,991 on external consultancy costs. The details of which are tabled below:
| Date | Consultancy | Cost (£) |
| (1) Costs to date. | ||
The GEO also sponsors the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The Commission has spent a total of £213,650 on external consultancy since 1 October 2007.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how many full-time equivalent press officers (a) work and (b) provide assistance for the Government Equalities Office. [237572]
Maria Eagle: The Government Equalities Office currently has one permanent, full-time press officer, and one temporary press officer.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality (1) how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by the Government Equalities Office in each year since its inception; and at what cost in each year; [239077]
(2) how many press officers were employed in the Government Equalities Office in each year since its inception; what the total cost was in each year; and if she will make a statement. [239111]
Maria Eagle: The hon. Member for Taunton has tabled two similar questions and I will answer for both 239077 and 239111.
Since its establishment on 12 October 2007 the Government Equalities Office established two press office posts and has employed one special adviser. The costs for the special adviser in 2007-08 were £58,597 and to date in 2008-09 the costs are £35,735.
The GEOs press office posts have been staffed by four individual employees, the cost of these staff are detailed as follows:
| Number of press office posts | Total cost (£) | |
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much (a) the Government Equalities Office and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since its inception; and if she will make a statement. [238945]
Maria Eagle: The Government Equalities Office was established on 12 October 2007. No expenditure was incurred on publicity and advertising in the financial year 2007-08. In 2008-09 the costs to date, have been as follows:
| Description | Supplier | Description | Cost (£) |
|
Recruitment of Commissioners to the Women’s National Commission | |||
The Government Equalities Office sponsors an executive non-departmental public body, the Equality and Human Rights Commission. In 2007-08 the Commission spent £72,864 on publicity, and £237,963 on advertising. These figures incorporate spending from the legacy Commissions in the financial year leading to the creation of the Commission. They also take into account the additional costs connected to the establishment of the new Commission and should therefore be treated as exceptional rather than the norm. In 2008-09 to date, the Commission has spent £6,312 on publicity and £77,812 on advertising.
Mr. Harper: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality if she will place in the Library the responses to the discrimination law review consultation. [220202]
Maria Eagle: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation. I will write when the information is available.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much was spent on hotel bills by the Government Equalities Office in 2007-08. [237574]
Maria Eagle:
The Government Equalities Office was established on 12 October 2007. In 2007-08 a total of £1,514 was spent on hotel bills by staff who record their expenses against the GEO’s travel and subsistence IT systems. Of GEO’s 91 staff, 19 are on loan to GEO from the Department for Work and Pensions and their travel and subsistence costs are logged against DWP’s IT
systems. DWP then invoice GEO for these costs, but do not separate out the element relating to hotel bills. Based on the pattern of costs incurred elsewhere in the GEO, these hotel bills can be estimated at a further £350.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1955W—continued
Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality if she will hold discussions with HM Treasury over allegations of discrimination concerning the relocation of disabled staff from the Kettering Tax Office to the tax office in Northampton. [225988]
Jonathan Shaw [holding answer 13 October 2008]: I have been asked to reply.
While I cannot intervene in operational decisions taken by another Government Department, I will ensure that the Financial Secretary to the Treasury fully understands that employees of Her Majesty’s Treasury are protected by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made by (a) air and (b) rail. [239420]
Jonathan Shaw: The following table shows the Department's spend and number of return trips to Brussels in the period April 2007 to March 2008.
| Return trips to Brussels—April 2007 to March 2008 | |
| £ | |
All travel by Civil Servants is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Civil Service Management Code and departmental staff handbooks.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of (a) full-time and (b) part-time carers receive benefits. [238374]
Jonathan Shaw: The Family Resources Survey does not define full-time and part-time carers. However, it does collect information on the number of hours people provide care. Information about the percentage of adult carers providing care for 35 hours or more and less than 35 hours who are also in receipt of benefits is in the following table.
| Percentages of carers who receive benefits | ||
| Total hours providing care | Not in receipt of any benefits | In receipt of benefits |
| Notes: 1. Carers are defined as ‘people involved in the provision of any regular service or help to someone in or outside their household who is sick, disabled or elderly’. 2. This only covers adult carers. Adults are all individuals aged 16 and over, unless defined as a dependent child. A dependent child is defined as those aged under 16 and those aged 16 to 19 providing they are: not married nor in a civil partnership, living with their parents and either in full time non-advance education or unwaged Government training. 3. 35 hours is the minimum hours of care that need to be supplied to qualify for Carer’s Allowance. 4. The Family Resources Survey collects information on the incomes and circumstances of private households in the United Kingdom. The Family Resources Survey is a nationally representative sample, covering approximately 26,000 households in 2006-07, the latest survey year. 5. The estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors which align the Family Resources Survey to Government Office Region populations by age and sex. Estimates are subject to sampling error and remaining non-response error. Source: Family Resources Survey, 2006-07 | ||
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter from the Chair of the Health and Safety Commission to local authority chief executives in 2004 on memorial safety. [238815]
Jonathan Shaw: The letter sent from the Chair of the Health and Safety Commission to local authority chief executives on 1 June 2004 has been placed in the Library. The Health and Safety Executive continues to stress the need for a sensible, proportionate and risk-based approach to managing memorial safety. Health and Safety Executive is supporting the Ministry of Justice and representatives from across the burial industry in finalising guidance on how to manage the risk associated with unstable memorials. It is expected that the advice will be published and circulated in the next few weeks.
Mr. Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission are employed in its face-to-face service; and what training they have received. [240037]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will break down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority the debt owed to the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years. [226161]
Kitty Ussher: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and arrange for a copy of the table to be placed in the Library.
In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will break down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority the debt owed to the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years. [226161]
Such information as is available is included in the tables which have been placed in the Library, which show the total debt owed by non-resident parents by Parliamentary Constituency and Local Authority for cases held on the CS2 computer system. This information is not available for cases held on the CS2 computer system prior to 2007 and is not available for any of the cases held on the CSCS computer system.
Child maintenance debt is owed by non-resident parents as a result of their failure to meet their financial responsibilities to their children. Some non-resident parents do their utmost to avoid these responsibilities, for example by moving house or changing jobs whenever the Child Support Agency tries to collect maintenance. Over its 15 year life, the Agency has collected and arranged over £7.5 billion in child maintenance with over £1 bn collected in the last year alone.
The Agency has been successful in slowing significantly the rate at which debt accrues. In the twelve months to March 2008, debt grew by an average of £10 million per month half the rate of accrual for the year to March 2006.
The Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act strengthens the range of enforcement and debt management powers available to the new Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. These will enable the Commission to recoup more effectively outstanding debt.
I hope you find this answer helpful.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of Child Support Agency payments have been paid (a) incorrectly and (b) late in the last period for which figures are available. [238377]
Kitty Ussher: I have consulted with the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission who have confirmed that the information requested is not available.
Mr. Rooney: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) parents with care and (b) non-resident parents the Child Maintenance Option Service contact centre has assisted with (i) benefit cases and (ii) other cases since July 2008. [240038]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to improve its arrangements for co-ordination with other Government departments of policy affecting coastal towns in the last two years. [238654]
Mr. McNulty:
The Department for Work and Pensions works closely with a range of other Departments on policy affecting people in coastal towns. This includes working in partnership with the regional development
agencies coastal towns network to improve analysis and evidence on the challenges and opportunities facing coastal towns as well as exploring the scope of local area agreements, and possibly multi-area agreements, as strategic mechanisms for improving coastal town regeneration outcomes. The Department is also closely involved in work examining employment and skill levels and what can be done to improve outcomes in these areas.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since its inception; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238938]
Jonathan Shaw: The information is either not available or not held centrally, and could be provided incompletely and only at a disproportionate cost.
Information about sickness absence rates for the years from 2001 to 2005 and for 2006-07 has been published and can be obtained from the civil service website at the following Internet address:
http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/statistics/sickness.asp
Information about the rate of sickness absence for the year 2007-08 has also been published and can be obtained from this Department’s website at the following Internet address:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/news/archive/english/2008/digest/jun08.asp
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239070]
Jonathan Shaw: Details of the Department's total expenditure on external consultancy for each year from ifs inception in 2001-02 is provided in the following table. Separate figures of expenditure by Agency are not available. The Department's non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) procure consultancy separately via their own de-centralised procurement functions and related details of expenditure are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
| DWP external management and IT consultancy spend from 2001-02 (inclusive of VAT) | |
| £ million | |
| Consultancy expenditure | |
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employees in his Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238974]
Jonathan Shaw: The number of staff from the Department for Work and Pensions and its Agencies who took early retirement in each of the last five years is shown in the following table.
| Staff taking early retirement | |
| Number | |
| Note: Figures for 2003-04 do not include The Rent Service. | |
Information on total cost of early retirements could only be provided by checking individual staff records as the Department's accounting systems do not differentiate between the costs of early retirements (staff aged over 50) and early severances (staff aged under 50). This would be possible only at a disproportionate cost.
Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) memory sticks, (b) laptop computers, (c) desktop computers, (d) hard drives and (e) mobile telephones were (i) lost and (ii) stolen from his Department in each year since 1997. [234089]
Kitty Ussher: The following table shows the number of (a) memory sticks, (b) laptop computers, (c) desktop computers, (d) hard drives and (e) mobile telephones which were recorded as lost or stolen, together with the average number of employees of the Department in each of the relevant years to 31 December. Information is not available for the years prior to 2001, and such details could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
| Employees | (a) Memory sticks | (b) Laptop computers | (c) Desktop computers | (d) Hard drives | (e) Mobile telephones | |
| (1) Figure relates to the former Department of Social Security only. | ||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1960W—continued
We have taken steps to improve data security, including encryption.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time equivalent press officers (a) work and (b) provide assistance for his Department. [237577]
Jonathan Shaw: The Department has 42 full-time equivalent press officers.
Of this, 25 are based across the English regions and in Scotland and Wales.
In addition to our responsibilities to the Department for Work and Pensions, the press office provides services for Jobcentre Plus and the Pension, Disability and Carers Service.
We do not receive assistance from any additional press officers.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on employing press and communications officers in (a) his Department, (b) its non-departmental public bodies and (c) its agencies in each of the last three years. [239674]
Jonathan Shaw: Press officers and communications officers are employed across the Organisation and paid for out of many different budgets. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for which Government websites his Department is responsible; how many visitors each received in the last period for which figures are available; and what the cost of maintaining each site was in that period. [235039]
Jonathan Shaw: The following tables outline the information available about the Department for Work and Pensions websites.
The lists reflect the sites that the Department was responsible for in the financial year 2007-08. DWP, in common with the rest of Government, is part-way through closing many of its websites and moving content on to Directgov and Business Link in order to improve the way services are delivered online; so a number of the sites detailed here have since closed.
Maintenance of DWP websites is mostly carried out by the Department’s own in-house digital media team. Apart from one site—Health and Safety Executive—it is not possible for us to quantify internal staff costs, because in most cases, staff are engaged in more than one role. In addition, we are unable to establish accurately our infrastructure costs because they form part of a wider departmental IT contract. We have therefore detailed
only quantifiable costs for each site—these include payments to suppliers for services such as research, testing and site builds. Figures for the Jobcentre Plus website include the costs of maintaining some online services, since these figures are quantifiable.
DWP is currently working with the COI to develop a standardised method for quantifying website costs across
Government. We will be implementing this standard from March 2009 in line with the current timetable.
Table A lists those websites operated by Department for Work and Pensions where the Department is responsible for the content.
| Table A | ||||
| Website name | Website address | Visitors | Unique visitors | Quantifiable maintenance costs (£) |
Table B lists those websites operated by the Department for Work and Pensions where the Department is not responsible for the content.
| Table B | ||||
| Website name | Website address | Visitors | Unique visitors | Quantifiable maintenance costs |
|
Any costs for this site are included in the figure for the Pensions Service in Table A | ||||
|
Any costs for this site are included in the figure for Office for Disability in Table A | ||||
|
Any costs for this site are included in the figure for the Pensions Service in Table A | ||||
|
Any costs for this site are included in the figure for the Pensions Service in Table A | ||||
| n/a = Not available. (1) July 2007 to March 2008 only. (2) April 2007 to August 2007 only | ||||
The following websites have been built by DWP but are managed independently, so no financial or statistical information is available.
Independent Living Funds;
Pension Protection Fund;
Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman;
Pensions Ombudsman;
Remploy;
The Pensions Regulator;
The Pensions Advisory Service; and
The Rent Service.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department’s agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [239104]
Jonathan Shaw: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. Staffing information for the Department and its predecessors together with non departmental bodies can be found on the civil service statistical website through the attached link as follows:
http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/statistics/
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years. [237496]
Jonathan Shaw: Two civil servants support the special advisers in this Department, providing administrative support of a non-political nature in accordance with the “Code of Conduct for Special Advisers”.
Individual civil servants’ salary details are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individual concerned.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year. [239092]
Jonathan Shaw: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security, the former Department for Education and Employment and the Employment Service. Information on costs is not held centrally and could be obtained at disproportionate cost only.
A regional network of press officers across the English regions, Scotland and Wales was established in 2002/03 dealing with regional media.
In addition to its responsibilities to the Department for Work and Pensions, the press office provides services for Jobcentre Plus, The Pension, Disability and Carers Service and Child Support Agency.
| Press Officers | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1964W—continued
For Special Advisors, I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007, Official Report, columns 147-150WS.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed by (a) Jobcentre Plus, (b) the Health and Safety Executive, (c) the Pensions Regulator and (d) the Pension Protection Fund in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07 and (iii) 2007-08. [238202]
Mr. McNulty: The following table shows the number of staff employed at 31 March for each of the years 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 for Jobcentre Plus and the Health and Safety Executive. For the Pension Regulator and the Pensions Protection Fund the table shows an average of headcount for each of the aforementioned years as this is the normal basis on which these units report staffing information.
| Business area | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Notes: 1. HSE figures include agency staff and staff in the Health and Safety Laboratory which is an in-house agency of HSE. 2. HSE figures at 1 April 2007 include staff in the Office for Civil Nuclear Security and the UK Safeguards Office who transferred from DTI on that date. 3. HSE figures at 1 April 2008 include staff in the Pesticides Safety Directorate who transferred to HSE from DEFRA on that date. | |||
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239660]
DWP employees in pay bands below the senior civil service are eligible for an annual individual performance bonus if they attain a “Top”, “Higher” or “Majority” rating under the annual Performance and Development System. The amount of bonus awarded is differentiated on the basis of employee’s pay band and the performance level achieved.
For the senior civil service end of year bonuses are determined on an individual basis by the relevant DWP SCS Pay Committee.
Performance awards from the year 2006-07 are paid in the financial year 2007-08.
A total of £36.61 million was paid in performance bonuses in the 2007-08 financial year broken down as follows:
| Table 1 : D epartmental total | ||
| Financial year | Total paid (£ million) | Total number of recipients |
| Table 2: Total at grades below SCS | ||
| Financial year | Total paid (£ million) | Total number of recipients |
| Table 3: Total at SCS | ||
| Financial year | Total paid (£ million) | Number of recipients |
| Notes: 1. The information in tables 1 and 2 is based on the numbers of employees recorded on the DWP payroll systems as having received a qualifying performance mark. These are headcount. 2. Some individuals may have received more than one type of bonus payment in the year, which is why the information has been presented separately and not as an aggregated total. 3. The performance bonus is paid in the financial year following the performance year of 1 April to 31 March. 4. The total amount paid includes Employers National Insurance Contribution (ERNIC). | ||
Individuals may also be entitled to special bonus payments either as cash or vouchers. These are one-off recognition awards, payable at any time during the performance year and are not linked to the annual pay award.
The cost in a typical year for cash bonuses is around £2.7 million with payments made to approximately 11,250 individuals.
The cost for voucher payments was £1.77 million in 2007-08. 31,237 vouchers were issued, however some individuals might have received more than one voucher.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239646]
Ms Rosie Winterton: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, announced on 13 November that the Government had decided to award a contract for a successor to the current Post Office card account to Post Office Ltd.
I shall write to the hon. Member with an estimate of the costs of the staff directly involved in the procurement and will place a copy of my letter in the Library. Some of these costs would have been necessary in any event to put in place a new contract with the Post Office so have not been ‘abortive’.
No other tender processes undertaken by my Department in the last three years have been cancelled prior to the award of a contract.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239054]
Jonathan Shaw: Focus group research is often an integral part of the development of communications campaigns. However the cost of such is often included within those campaign development costs and the specific costs are not held separately. disproportionate costs would be incurred to cover 10 years of expenditure.
Focus groups are also used as elements within the Department's larger evaluations but as above, specific costs are not always held separately and disproportionate costs would be incurred to cover 10 years of expenditure.
The Department has conducted omnibus surveys on public attitudes to the Government's welfare reform programme since 2001. To date in 2008, the Department has conducted omnibus surveys designed to raise awareness of the change to state retirement age for women, to encourage planning and saving for retirement and on young people's attitudes to work and benefits.
Details per financial year are provided in the following table.
| Cost (£) | |
|
2004-05—Public Attitudes—Wave 5 and new 1 and Public Awareness | |
|
2008-09—Public Attitudes (includes predicted costs until end of the financial year) | |
This research was limited between 2001 and 2004. In 2005 an increased number of new attitude statements were included in omnibus research and we also conducted a piece of research to monitor public awareness of the Department and its responsibilities. This year, we have increased the frequency of the surveys in order to most effectively inform the development of our communications activity.
The Department does not conduct opinion polling since the quick turn around necessary to reflect the pressing issues of the day often involves:
quota or other non-random sampling methods (i.e. less rigorous and giving less certainty who the results are actually representative of)
smaller sample sizes (greater confidence intervals and difficulty supplying estimates for small groups)
single questions or short questionnaire (meaning views given often lack context)
lack of methodological rigour, particularly in terms of question design (raising risk that answers are influenced by question wording.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent by his Department on providing translation services for customers in each of the last five years. [226157]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The DWP provides a range of language translation services for customers across the UK, namely:
Face to Face
Telephone
Welsh
Braille
Audio.
We are also able to offer a service to convert documents into Easy Read format.
The contractual arrangements for the services have been developed over a number of years and as a result spend has not been applicable for some of these services in each of the last five years or data has not been able to be gathered for spend during some years. Disproportionate cost would be incurred in trying to identify such spend.
The range of services also includes the translation of departmental information leaflets that are provided to customers into a range of ethnic languages, as well as all publications for Welsh speaking customers.
The following table contains the spend across the DWP for all translation services as recorded on a number of departmental systems and as reported in previous PQ's or FOI requests.
| Type of translation service | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09( 1) |
| (1 )Year to date August 2008. (2) Not available without disproportionate cost as data not held centrally. | ||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1968W—continued
Sir Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims have been made for disability living allowance following a diagnosis of phenylketonuria in the last 12 months; and how many were granted. [239962]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people claimed the higher rate care component of disability living allowance on the ground of terminal illness in 2007-08, broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available. [239396]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many registered blind people receive the (a) low and (b) middle rate mobility component of the disability living allowance (i) in each (A) region and (B) constituency and (ii) nationwide. [235887]
Jonathan Shaw: The available information has been placed in the Library.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of disability living allowance in York are in paid employment. [237603]
Jonathan Shaw [holding answer 20 November 2008]: The information is not available.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 77W, on Employee Assistance Programme, how many requests from staff for services have been received by the Department's Employee Assistance Programme in each category of reason recorded in each year since the programme was established; and if he will make a statement. [238226]
Jonathan Shaw: The following table provides the information requested for DWP usage of the Employee Assistance Programme. The numbers relate to issues raised under a particular category. An individual may have presented with more than one issue under different categories.
There have been several changes in how the information is captured throughout the three years.
| Personal presenting issues | July 2005 to June 2006 | July 2006 to June 2007 | July 2007 to Jun 2008 |
| (1 )New category from July 2007 (2 )From September 2007 presenting categories brought in line with HSE Management Standards . Note: Information collected only from July 2006. | |||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1971W—continued
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what performance measures have been established for employment and support allowance. [238385]
Jonathan Shaw: Employment and support allowance was introduced on 27 October 2008 for new customers claiming on the grounds of disability or ill health. Employment and support allowance will be woven into the existing performance framework for Jobcentre Plus. It is already built into the customer service target. From April 2009, employment and support allowance will feature within the job outcome and fraud and error targets. At the same time, employment and support allowance performance will also be measured through Jobcentre Plus internal targets for claim clearance and delivery of work focused interviews.
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many additional staff were operating in benefit delivery centres specifically to implement the new employment and support allowance on 27 October 2008, broken down by (a) fixed-term employees, (b) full-time employees and (c) casual staff; and how many additional staff in each category he expects to be operating in this capacity at the end of each of the next six months. [233307]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many additional staff he expects to operate in benefit delivery centres specifically to implement the new employment and support allowance (a) at 27th October 2008 and (b) at the end of each of the next six months, broken down by (i) fixed-term employees, (ii) full-time employees and (iii) casual staff. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus has not recruited additional staff specifically to administer Employment and Support Allowance. We have, however, recruited additional customer facing staff so that experienced staff could be released to undertake the training required to deliver Employment and Support Allowance. Of the 2,125 people recruited, 982 will work within the Benefit Delivery Centre network.
Information broken down by full and part-time or contract type could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what guidance is given by Jobcentre Plus to staff on how long a work-focussed interview should be and how much time should be taken to follow up each work-focussed interview; and how many work-focussed interviews were carried out in each Jobcentre Plus (a) district and (b) region in each of the last 12 months, broken down by benefit claimed; [235346]
(2) what estimate he has made of the maximum number of work-focussed interviews that can be carried out in each month with current staffing levels at Jobcentre Plus in each (a) district and (b) region, broken down by benefit claimed; [235348]
(3) what the average number of work-focussed interviews attended by claimants was in each of the last five years, broken down by benefit claimed. [235473]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked the acting chief executive to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to the questions you asked in relation to Work Focused Interviews. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. The questions are as follows:
What guidelines are given by Jobcentre Plus to staff on how long a work-focused interview should be and how much time should be taken to follow up each work-focused interview; how many work-focused interviews were carried out in each Jobcentre Plus (a) district and (b) region in each of the last 12 months broken down by benefit claimed.
What estimate he has made of the maximum number of work-focused interviews that can be carried out in each month with current staffing levels at Jobcentre Plus in each (a) district and (b) region broken down by benefit claimed.
What the average number of work-focused interviews attended by claimants was in each of the last five years broken down by benefit.
Jobcentre Plus conducts a wide range of different interviews to meet both business and customer needs. Guidance to staff outlines the purpose and content of each interview type and the average length of time these should take, but this will vary in practice
depending upon individual customer needs. Advisers also have guidance on pre-and post-interview activities. The actual time taken for these activities will also vary, depending upon the type of interview and the needs of the individual. However, our 2008/09 resource allocation allows an average of 10 minutes per interview.
In terms of the specific interview times, these are derived from work measurement studies, which are used to assess the range of activities that must be undertaken and/or could be undertaken. These result in average interview times, which are used as part our resource allocation methodology.
The information on the number of work-focused interviews that have been carried out in each Jobcentre Plus District and
Region in the last 12 months broken down by benefit claimed has been placed in the Library.
It is not possible to state the maximum number of work focused interviews that can be carried out each month. Benchmark numbers are used because we have numerous different interview times for each client group/activity and the mix of clients at any given time will be variable.
The table below contains the average number of Jobcentre Adviser interviews conducted each month in the last five years, broken down by benefit type. For 2004/05 only 2 months data is available. Therefore the figures for 2004/05 reflect the monthly average based on 2 months available.
| Average monthly interviews attended by year | |||||
| Benefit | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09( 1) |
| (1 )2008-09 monthly average is based on seven months available data Source: Business Information System (Customer Meetings—interview type—all) | |||||
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disabled people in York have been assisted to find work (a) by disability advisers employed by Jobcentre Plus and (b) through other publicly-funded initiatives to assist disabled people in the last 12 months. [237605]
Mr. McNulty [holding answer 20 November 2008]: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked the Acting Chief Executive to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many disabled people have been assisted to find work in York (a) by disability advisers employed by Jobcentre Plus and (b) through other publicly-funded initiatives to assist disabled people in the last 12 months. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus uses information from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs systems to identify when our customers move into work. The data for the 12 month period ending April 2008, the latest for which data is complete, shows that 746 customers with a health condition or disability moved into work from wards in the York Local Authority District.
More detailed information on these results is not reported in relation to the degree of disability or which advisory group or other initiative supported customers into work.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many unfilled job vacancies at York Jobcentre there were on (a) 1 January and (b) 1 July in each year since 2004. [236879]
Mr. McNulty: The preferred source of information on job vacancies is the ONS Vacancy Survey, which provides comprehensive estimates of all vacancies in the economy, not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only.
The figures available are the numbers of vacancies notified by employers to Jobcentre Plus. The available information is in the following table.
| Number of live unfilled job vacancies at York Jobcentre | |
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. Jobcentre Plus handles only a proportion of vacancies notified by employers. Consequently the figures do not represent the total number of job vacancies available in York. The proportion of vacancies which are notified by employers to Jobcentre Plus varies over time, according to the occupation and industry of the vacancies and also by geographical area. 2. Interpretation of the Jobcentre vacancy data should take account of changes in recent years to Jobcentre Plus procedures for taking and handling vacancies. The figures are not fully comparable over time and may not indicate changes in labour demand. 3. Comprehensive estimates of all job vacancies (not just those notified to Jobcentre Plus) are available from the monthly ONS Vacancy Survey since April 2001, based on a sample of some 6,000 enterprises. However, the ONS survey is currently designed to provide national estimates only. 4. This information is published at www.nomisweb.co.uk. Source: Jobcentre Plus Labour Market System | |
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in City of York constituency have found employment through each of the Government’s new deal programmes since their inception. [236880]
Mr. McNulty: The available information up to May 2008 is in the following table.
| Number of people who have found work through the new deal programmes in city of York constituency since their inception | |
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. New deal for young people started January 1998. 3. New deal 25-plus started July 1998. 4. New deal for lone parents started October 1998. 5. New deal for disabled people started July 2001. 6. New deal 50-plus information available from April 2003. 7. New deal for partners information available from April 2004. Source: Information Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions. | |
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of abolishing the single room rent and paying housing benefit claimants the same rate of benefit irrespective of their age. [238227]
Kitty Ussher: The cost of abolishing the housing benefit single room rent and shared room rate has been broadly estimated to be at least £20 million per year.
It is important to note that these are indicative estimates only. They are based on analysis of the pre-Local housing allowance system of housing benefit and may be subject to change as more up-to-date information becomes available.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of people were in receipt of housing benefit in each (a) ward and (b) lower layer super output area of each principal seaside town in each year for which figures are available. [239004]
Kitty Ussher: The information is not available in the format requested; we do not have housing benefit data below local authority level.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) households and (b) individuals in each local authority area have had their housing benefit withdrawn because of their antisocial behaviour under the Government’s Respect Agenda housing benefit trials. [226199]
Kitty Ussher: As yet, none of the local authorities participating in the pilot for the antisocial behaviour-related sanction in housing benefit has applied the sanction.
Assessment of the deferred effect of the availability of the sanction will be taken in due course.
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the letter of 14th July 2008 from the Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform to the hon. Member for Hertsmere, how many illegal migrant workers have been removed; how many illegal migrant workers have been prosecuted for use of a false or hijacked national insurance number; and how many employers have been prosecuted as a result of the UK Borders Agency enforcement campaign against illegal working in the security industry. [222341]
Mr. Alan Campbell: [holding answer 6 October 2008] I have been asked to reply.
I will write to the honourable Member.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1976W—continued
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2008, Official Report, column 1202W, on unemployment benefits, what his Department's forecast was for expenditure on incapacity benefit in each of the next five years had the employment and support allowance not been introduced. [235623]
Jonathan Shaw [holding answer 13 November 2008]: Expenditure on incapacity benefits/employment and support allowance payable at employment and support allowance rates or alternatively at incapacity benefit rates are tabled as follows. These are based on latest pre-Budget report projections and exclude housing benefit/council tax benefit impacts—which add further to the cost of paying employment and support allowance as opposed to incapacity benefit rates.
| Benefit expenditure, (nominal terms), Great Britain | |||
| £ millions | |||
| Incapacity benefits/employment and support allowance | Incapacity benefits/employment and support allowance payable at incapacity benefit rates | Impact of employment and support allowance rates | |
| Notes: 1. Figures include incapacity-related income support directed at the short-term sick and long-term sick and disabled and severe disablement allowance. 2. Figures for ‘incapacity benefits/employment and support allowance’, 2008-09 to 2010-11, underlie the 2008 pre-Budget report Government spending plans. Figures for 2011-12 and 2012-13 are projections. 3. Figures for the impacts of employment and support allowance rates exclude the additional annually managed expenditure impacts on housing benefit and council tax benefit. 4. Figures relate to expenditure on working-age adult claimants. 5. Figures are on a resource accounting and budgeting basis. There may be differences between figures quoted in these tables and those quoted in Department for Work and Pensions Accounts. Source: DWP autumn 2008 forecasts and projections. | |||
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much incapacity benefit was paid on average in each week of the last period for which figures are available. [238388]
Jonathan Shaw: As at May 2008, the average weekly amount of incapacity benefit in payment was £89.63.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in York moved off incapacity benefit into work in each of the last five years. [237604]
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what modelling his Department has carried out on different economic and labour market conditions in assessing the potential effect on (a) lone parents and (b) people claiming employment support allowance of changes in eligibility for income support; and if he will make a statement. [235923]
Mr. McNulty: The Department continues to assess the impact of an economic downturn on all our customers and our activities, and is developing plans right across its areas of responsibility to manage this. This includes those for whom the benefit arrangements are changing.
The Department's active labour market policies help these groups every working day and these remain just as important in the current economic circumstances.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008, Official Report, column 704W, on income support: mortgage costs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of households that will not be eligible under the proposed new arrangement due to a partner or spouse working 24 hours or more a week. [237257]
Kitty Ussher: We estimate that on average over the past three years for which figures are available (2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07), that there were 30,000 couples each year who interest but for the fact that their partner was in remunerative work of 24 hours or more a week.
These estimates are for those people whose circumstances are that: they are not working; they are members of a couple; they are owner-occupiers; they have a mortgage; they have a partner who works 24 hours a week, or more; and they would otherwise have had entitlement to income support or income-based jobseekers allowance. No account has been taken of the duration of claim, or the support for mortgage interest qualifying period.
Notes:
Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000.
Source:
DWP Take Up 2006-07, 2005-06 and 2004-05 datasets
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are receiving income support for mortgage interest payments; and how many received such payments in each of the last 10 years. [239884]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what changes have been made to (a) the conditions for claiming income support for mortgage interest payments and (b) the levels of income support mortgage interest payments since 1997. [239885]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the rules are for eligibility for income support mortgage interest payments; and what changes to those rules the Government plans to introduce. [239886]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people claiming jobseeker's allowance have been claiming support for mortgage interest payments for two years or more. [239887]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been claiming support for mortgage interest payments for (a) less than six months, (b) between six months and one year, (c) between one and two years and (d) two or more years. [239888]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the two year time limit on claims for income support for mortgage interest for jobseeker’s allowance claimants will apply to new claimants. [239889]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were receiving income support mortgage interest payments in each month in each of the last five years. [239890]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average payment was to people receiving income support mortgage interest payments in the last 12 months. [239891]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the speech and presentation of his Department’s Programme Manager on the Tell Us Once Project, made at the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation Annual Conference on 1 October 2008. [238817]
Mr. McNulty: The presentation given by the Tell Us Once Programme Manager at the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation Annual Conference on 1 October 2008 has been placed in the Library. There is no written speech available.
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by what date the review of the closure plan for Jobcentre Plus offices will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [239326]
Kitty Ussher [holding answer 25 November 2008]: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking by what date the review of the closure plan for Jobcentre Plus offices will be completed. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
In the light of the current economic conditions and the welfare reform changes planned for the next two to three years, I have asked the Customer Service Directors in each of our Regions and Countries to review their service delivery plans for every Jobcentre Plus District. This exercise will be completed by early 2009.
As an immediate measure, I have decided to suspend the 25 proposed Jobcentre closures while the current economic uncertainties exist, which will allow us to increase our capacity to deliver services to those in need of help finding a job.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many formal complaints were received by Jobcentre Plus in each region in each of the last five years. [237947]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many formal complaints were received by Jobcentre Plus in each region in each of the last five years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Comparable information is not available prior to 2005/06. The available information is in the tables below.
| Level 1 and 2 complaints received by Jobcentre Plus | |||
| Jobcentre Plus region | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Level 3 complaints received by Jobcentre Plus | |||
| Jobcentre Plus region | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Notes: Jobcentre Plus operates a three-level feedback process in response to issues raised by customers: Level 1—feedback received by a specific business area that relates solely to Jobcentre Plus business, ie. Contact Centre Directorate, Customer Services Directorate and Benefits and Fraud Directorate. Level 2—feedback received direct by the district manager or feedback received by Jobcentre Plus but which also relates to another business area, eg. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs local authorities or feedback not resolved at Level 1. Level 3—feedback received direct by the chief executive or feedback not resolved at Level 2. | |||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1980W—continued
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been employed by Jobcentre Plus in each year since 1 April 2002, broken down by (a) region and (b) pay grade. [230288]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many people have been employed by Jobcentre Plus in each year since 1 April 2002, broken down by (a) region and (b) pay grade. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The requested information is not available prior to April 2003 and the information is not available between 2003 and 2007 broken down by region.
The tables below provide the number of full-time equivalents employed in each pay grade and for March 2008, the number of full-time equivalents in each region by pay grade.
| Full-time equivalents in Jobcentre Plus by pay grade from April 2003 to March 2007 | |||||
| Grade | April 2003 | March 2004 | March 2005 | March 2006 | March 2007 |
| Full-time equivalents in Jobcentre Plus by pay grade and region for March 2008 | ||||||
| Grade | East Midlands | East of England | London | North East | North West | Scotland |
| Full-time equivalents in Jobcentre Plus by pay grade and region for March 2008 | ||||||
| Grade | South East | South West | Wales | West Midlands | Yorkshire & Humberside | Not known |
| (1 )The Management Information Portal does not contain information on the regional location of all staff Notes: 1. Data for March 2008 is provided from “Dataview”, an electronic extract from Resource Management. This information is not available for previous years due to data capacity issues. 3. Headcount figures are quoted in full-time equivalents using the Office for National Statistics criteria for counting headcount and details the position at March in each year. Source: Jobcentre Plus Management Information Portal. For data capacity reasons the portal only provides information from April 2003 onwards. | ||||||
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many (a) Jobcentre Plus staff and (b) customer-facing Jobcentre Plus staff there were (i) in total, (ii) in each region and (iii) in each Jobcentre Plus district in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [230432]
(2) how many (a) Jobcentre Plus staff and (b) customer-facing Jobcentre Plus staff there are (i) in total, (ii) in each region and (iii) in each Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement. [230433]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking:
how many (a) Jobcentre Plus staff and (b) customer facing Jobcentre Plus staff there were (i) in total, (ii) in each region and (iii) in each Jobcentre Plus district in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
how many (a) Jobcentre Plus staff and (b) customer-facing Jobcentre Plus staff there are (i) in total (ii) in each region and (iii) in each Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement.
This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The staffing information broken down by customer facing roles is not available prior to April 2003 as data is deleted from our information source prior to this date for capacity reasons. It is not available from 2003 to 2007 broken down by region and Jobcentre Plus district as the data source containing this level of data is not available prior to 2008.
The tables below provide the number of full-time equivalent staff employed in each Region and District for September 2008, and separately identify the number in customer facing roles.
| Total Jobcentre Plus staff by region and district at September 2008 | ||
| Region | District | Total |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1984W—continued
| Jobcentre Plus staff in customer facing roles by region and district | ||
| Region | District | Total |
| (1) Unknown: A missing payroll code can prevent identification of the exact location and therefore the district and/or region of individuals who have recently moved within DWP. While we know that they are still employed within DWP, we cannot report their exact location. Notes: 1. Headcount figures are quoted in full-time equivalents using the Office for National Statistics criteria for counting headcount and details the position at September 2008. 2. Customer facing roles include staff in Jobcentres, Benefit Delivery sites and Contact Centres, but excludes staff in District and Regional Offices, Fraud staff, central support teams and National Directorates. Source: Information about staffing levels is usually obtained from the Jobcentre Plus Management Information Portal. This does not contain the level of data requested and therefore data has been taken from an alternative source known as Dataview, extracted from the DWP Resource Management system. For data capacity reasons this information is available for this year only. Information may not be consistent with information previously supplied from the Management Information Portal due to differences in organisational descriptions. | ||
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker’s allowance claimants there were per customer-facing Jobcentre Plus staff member in each region in each quarter of each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [230439]
Mr. McNulty: The information requested is not available.
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) frontline and (b) other staff employed by Jobcentre Plus and its predecessor in each year since 1997; and how many he expects to be employed in each of the next five years. [235350]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus. I have asked the acting chief executive to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) frontline and (b) other staff employed by Jobcentre Plus and its predecessor in each year since 1997; and how many he expects to be employed in each of the next 5 years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The staffing information broken down by frontline and other staff is not available prior to April 2003 as data is deleted from our information source prior to this date for capacity reasons.
The table below provides the number of full-time equivalent staff employed in (a) frontline offices and (b) other staff at March in each year from March 2004 to March 2008.
| Frontline staff | Other staff | |
Frontline staff includes all operational staff in Jobcentres, Benefit Delivery and Contact Centres, including support staff. Other staff includes staff in National Directorates providing
general support. In 2006, some operational support functions such as Human Resource and Finance were centralised into National Directorates, resulting in an increase in "Other staff”.
Our plans for future years are under active review. We have already allocated an additional 2,200 staff to the frontline for the remainder of 2008/09. By March 2009 Jobcentre Plus expects to have employed 67,653 full-time equivalent staff and we expect to increase frontline staffing further in 2009/10 and 2010/11 in light of the rising economic challenges.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff were employed in Jobcentre Plus offices in each month of the last five years (i) in total and (ii) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [239312]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many a) full time and b) part time staff were employed in Jobcentre Plus offices in each month of the last 5 years i) in total and ii) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
We are able to provide the information you requested from April 2005 to date, and broken down by Government Office region. Details can be found on the attached Annex. Data capacity limitations mean that earlier information is not available and,
given the major restructuring across Jobcentre Plus in recent years, the Government office region is the smallest area for which consistent information can be shown.
The Secretary of State recently announced plans for Jobcentre Plus to have 6,000 more staff than the original assumption to enable us to respond to increasing numbers of customers. We do not yet have the detailed plans which describe the revised numbers for this year below a national level.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1988W—continued
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average salary of personal advisers in Jobcentre Plus has been in each year since the role was created, broken down by (a) region and (b) sex. [230286]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what the average salary of personal advisers in Jobcentre Plus has been in each year since the role was created, broken down by (a) region and (b) sex. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The requested information is not available prior to April 2003. Information since April 2003, broken down by gender, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The table below provides the average staff costs of personal advisers for each financial year from 2003-04, broken down by region.
| Average staff costs of personal advisers by region | ||||||
| £000 | ||||||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
| Notes: 1. The average staff costs for 2008-09 are based on the first six months of the year (April to September 2008). 2. The staff costs are the costs incurred by Jobcentre Plus in employing the staff and include superannuation and employer related NI contributions. The average staff costs shown will therefore be higher than the average salary that individuals actually received. 3. The adviser numbers used in calculating the average are the full-time equivalents (FTEs) and not an actual count of advisers i.e. one FTE could be one full-time adviser or two or more part-time advisers. Source: Jobcentre Plus Activity Based Management (ABM) database for 2006-07 to 2008-09 and the Activity Based Information database (ABI) for prior years 2005-06 to 2003-04. Data prior to this year is unavailable. 4. The costs used in the calculation of the average staff costs are apportioned costs, not actual costs i.e. if the actual salaries for the advisers were added up they would produce a different figure. The costs used are derived from the percentage of FTE carrying out the adviser role at an office level i.e. if 10 per cent. of staff are advisers in a particular office then 10 per cent. of the total salary for that office would be classified as adviser costs. 5. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. | ||||||
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average salary was for Jobcentre Plus employees in each year since 1 April 2002, broken down by (a) region and (b) sex. [230287]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what the average salary was for Jobcentre Plus employees in each year since 1 April 2002, broken down by (a) region and (b)
sex. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Whilst we do have average staff cost information for the whole of Jobcentre Plus the information is not readily available by region or sex. This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The table below provides the average staff cost for Jobcentre Plus for each year since 1 April 2002.
| Average staff cost for Jobcentre Plus employees | |
| £000 | |
| Financial year | Average staff costs |
| Notes: 1. The staff costs are the costs incurred by Jobcentre Plus in employing the staff and include superannuation and earnings related NI contributions. The average staff costs shown will therefore be higher than the average salary that individuals actually received. 2. The employee numbers used in calculating the average are the full-time equivalents (FTEs) and not an actual count of employees, i.e. 1 FTE could be one full-time member of staff or two or more part-time members. 3. Staff costs are rounded to the nearest thousand. Source: Jobcentre Plus Statutory Accounts for 2002-03 through to 2007-08. | |
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what national performance targets have been set for Jobcentre Plus offices; and what the performance of Jobcentre Plus Torquay was against these targets in 2007-08. [237948]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what national performance targets have been set for Jobcentre Plus offices; and what the performance of Jobcentre Plus Torquay was against these targets in 2007-08. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The table below details the targets set for Jobcentre Plus Devon and Cornwall District for the performance year April 2007 to March 2008. Torquay Jobcentre is one of the offices within this district. Some of these targets are set and measured at district/regional or national level only. However, where possible I have included details specific to Torquay Jobcentre.
| Torquay Jobcentre Plus performance summary | |||
| Target name | Measured at level | Target | Performance |
|
Interventions delivery target Incapacity benefit work focused interviews (Percentage) | |||
|
Interventions delivery target Income support—lone parents (Percentage) | |||
|
Interventions delivery target Jobseeker's allowance advisory interviews (Percentage) | |||
|
Interventions delivery Jobseeker's allowance labour market interventions Interventions | |||
| Notes: 1. Job outcome target To achieve a total score of 288,645 points based on the job outcomes Devon and Cornwall achieves via the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) database. 2. Monetary value of fraud and error target (MVFE) By March 2008 to continue to ensure that losses from fraud and error in working age income support and jobseeker's allowance amount to less than current levels of loss, as expressed in the new 2005-06 baseline. 3. Customer service target To achieve an 84 per cent. customer service level in the delivery of specified standards across our business delivery channels. Our customer service is measured under three headings: Professionalism, Timeliness and Information. 4. Employer outcome target At least 84 per cent. of employers placing their vacancies with Jobcentre Plus will have a positive outcome based on the employer's opinion of the service received. Floor target—performance should not fall below 82 per cent. in any delivery unit. 5. Interventions delivery target To ensure that specified key Jobcentre Plus labour market interventions take place within set timescales in 85 per cent. of cases measured. Floor target—performance should not fall below 83 per cent. The four components of this target and their individual target levels are: 80 per cent. of initial incapacity benefit work focused interviews are conducted after the end of the 8th week and up to the end of the 13th week stage of the claim. 85 per cent. of income support lone parent work focused interview reviews that become due are conducted within three months. Jobseeker's allowance labour market interventions (LMI) and follow-up activity are conducted in 90 per cent. of cases. 13 and 26-week jobseeker's allowance advisory interviews that become due are conducted within six weeks in 85 per cent. of cases. 6. Average actual clearance time target To process claims to certain benefits within the specified average actual clearance time (AACT): for incapacity benefit (18 days), income support (11 days) and jobseeker's allowance (12 days). Plymouth Benefit Delivery Centre processes claims from clients serviced by Torquay Jobcentre. | |||
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many clients used Jobcentre Plus services at Torquay jobcentre between (a) 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2007 and (b) 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2008. [237941]
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the service made available by the Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service for Wales; and what steps he takes to ensure service provision reflects local rates of unemployment. [238555]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the service made available by the Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service for Wales and what steps are taken to ensure service provision reflects local rates of unemployment. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1991W—continued
Jobcentre Plus will offer a Rapid Response Service to all employers declaring 20 or more redundancies. It will also offer support where there are clusters of redundancies which require extra measures to help people find work. It was announced on 12 November that the DWP is doubling the funding for Jobcentre Plus' Rapid Response Service from £3m to £6m for this financial year. Wales will have direct access to the funding.
Through the Rapid Response Service, Jobcentre Plus and Welsh Assembly Government colleagues can help workers with information about other jobs within the labour market, including: matching them to known vacancies; helping them to draw up CVs and improve their job search skills; providing information about how to claim benefits until they do find work; and, with local partners, providing advice on skills and training. We will keep under review the level of take up of the Rapid Response Services, making sure we meet the needs of local business.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) jobcentre and (b) Jobcentre Plus offices there are in each (i) region and (ii) parliamentary constituency; and how many of each in each area there were in each year since 1997. [236961]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many (a) Jobcentre and (b) Jobcentre Plus offices there are in each (i) region and (ii) parliamentary constituency; and how many of each in each area there were in each year since 1997. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
I am only able to provide information on Jobcentre Plus offices since April 2002, when Jobcentre Plus was created by the merger of the former Employment Service and Benefits Agency, as information on the separate networks operated prior to 2002 is not available. Historical information on which constituencies were serviced by individual Jobcentres is not held. The available information on the Jobcentre Plus customer-facing service delivery network is attached at Annex 1.
Jobcentre Plus inherited around 1,500 offices from the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service. Customers had to attend one office to look for work and then walk to another to deal with changes in their benefit claim. We have modernised our Jobcentre network to improve customer service, rationalising our estate to provide excellent High Street coverage and a single, integrated customer facing office, at the same time reducing cost to the tax payer. We remain the largest office network in Government with 747 modern Jobcentres which are supported by 31 contact centres and 79 main benefit processing centres. This has brought our customer facing services together in a more coherent and integrated network.
Our network is further supplemented by flexible service delivery or outreach options, to provide customer services currently in 146 locations where maintaining a full Jobcentre service is not viable. Such options include for example delivering services from partners' sites or local community premises, delivery using specialised vehicles, and home visits.
In the light of the current economic conditions and the welfare reform changes planned for the next two to three years, I have asked the Customer Service Directors in our regions to review their service delivery plans for every Jobcentre Plus district. This exercise will be completed by early 2009.
Additionally, as an immediate measure, I have decided to suspend 25 proposed Jobcentre closures while the current economic uncertainties exist, which will allow us to increase our capacity to deliver services to those in need of help finding a job.
| Jobcentre Plus offices open to the public: 1 January 2002 to 1 October 2008 | ||||||||
| Region | 1 October 2008 | 1 January 2008 | 1 January 2007 | 1 January 2006 | 1 January 2005 | 1 January 2004 | 1 January 2003 | 1 January 2002 |
| Note: Prior to implementing our network of benefit delivery centres, from April 2006, many sites delivered both customer facing and benefit processing services. | ||||||||
| Current Jobcentre Plus customer-facing offices | |||
| Regions | Benefit delivery centres | Customer facing Jobcentres | Contact centres |
| Note: The Jobcentre Plus customer facing service delivery network comprises of Jobcentres, benefit delivery centres, and contact centres. Head office, regional offices and district offices are not included. Contact centres operate nationally and their location bears no relation to the customers they serve. | |||
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobcentres there were in each of the last 10 years. [238378]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. I have asked the Acting Chief Executive, Mel Groves to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many Jobcentres there were in each of the last 10 years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
I am only able to provide information on Jobcentres since April 2002, when Jobcentre Plus was created by the merger of the former Employment Service and Benefits Agency, as information on the separate networks operated prior to 2002 is not available. The available information is in the table below.
| Jobcentre Plus Offices open to the Public | |
| Number | |
| Source: Jobcentre Plus | |
From the former Benefits Agency and Employment Service, Jobcentre Plus inherited around 1,500 offices. Often customers would have to walk from one office to the next to look for work then deal with changes in their benefit claim. As we have modernised to improve customer service, we have been able to rationalise this estate to provide excellent high street coverage and reduce cost to the tax payer.
We remain the largest office network in Government.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of people flowing off jobseeker's allowance moved (a) into employment, (b) onto other benefits and (c) to an unknown destination in each year since 1997. [226187]
Mr. McNulty: The total number of people flowing off Jobseeker's Allowance is decreasing in line with the numbers claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. The percentage of people leaving with an unknown destination recorded has increased over the last 10 years. This is because the completion levels of the JSA40 form (forms filled in by people leaving Jobseeker's Allowance) have decreased over this period. This should be taken into account when interpreting these statistics, as many of these 'unknown' leavers will have moved into employment.
| Numbers of people leaving Jobseeker's Allowance by year and destination | |||||
| Employment | Other Benefit | Other reason | Not known or not recorded | Total | |
| (1) January to October. | |||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1994W—continued
| Percentage distribution by destination of all people leaving Jobseeker's Allowance | ||||
| Employment | Other Benefit | Other reason | Not known or not recorded | |
| (1) January to October. | ||||
| Percentage distribution by destination of people leaving Jobseeker's Allowance to known destinations | |||
| Employment | Other benefit | Other | |
| (1) January to October. N otes: 1. Figures are for Great Britain and are rounded to the nearest 5. 2. The percentage of claimant off-flows with no destination recorded has increased over the last 10 years, which should be taken into account when interpreting these statistics. 3. This information is published on the Nomis website at www.nomisweb.co.uk Source: Count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems (computer held cases only). | |||
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (b) proportion of new jobseeker's allowance claimants who will move onto the benefit as a result of (i) losing employment, (ii) moving off income support, (iii) failing a work capability assessment and (iv) other reasons in each of the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [233253]
Mr. McNulty: Updated planning assumptions were published at the pre-Budget report.
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of non-UK EU citizens who are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance while resident in another EU member state; what discussions he has had with other EU member states about the payment of jobseeker's allowance to non-UK EU citizens who are resident in such states; and if he will make a statement. [234432]
Mr. McNulty [holding answer 10 November 2008]: It is not possible to estimate the number of non-UK EU citizens who are in receipt of contribution based Jobseeker's Allowance while resident in another EU member state. Contribution based Jobseeker's Allowance is only payable abroad for up to three months. From the available information it is not possible to differentiate between UK EU citizens and non-UK EU citizens.
The UK contribution based Jobseeker's Allowance is payable by the foreign Employment Services only if the jobseeker remains unemployed, continues to register as a person seeking work and continues to comply with the control procedures in the country where they are seeking work.
Modernisation of the EU social security regulations coordinating unemployment benefits was discussed at the December 2007 EU Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) in Brussels.
Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker’s allowance claimants there were in (a) the UK and (b) Wellingborough constituency on the latest date for which figures are available. [238334]
Mr. McNulty: In October 2008 there were 980,900 jobseeker’s allowance claimants in the UK, with 1,730 in Wellingborough parliamentary constituency.
Notes:
1. Data is rounded to the nearest 10.
2. Figures for Wellingborough parliamentary constituency are seasonally unadjusted and exclude clerical cases.
3. Data is published at www.nomisweb.co.uk
Source:
ONS
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants moved off JSA and into employment in each month of the last five years, broken down by age; and if he will make a statement. [239310]
Mr. McNulty: The information has been placed in the Library.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker’s allowance claimants were enrolled in an outsourced skills training and support programme to which they had been referred by Jobcentre Plus in each month of the last five years (a) in total and (b) broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [239311]
Mr. McNulty: The information is not collected centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people claimed jobseekers' allowance between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008; and how much was spent on jobseekers' allowance claims in that period. [238793]
Mr. McNulty: The available information on the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance each month in 2007-08 is in the table.
| Jobseeker's allowance claimant count—seasonally adjusted | |
| Great Britain | |
| Notes: 1. Data have been rounded to the nearest 100. Figures are a monthly snapshot and cannot be added together to give an annual total. 2. Expenditure for jobseeker's allowance in 2007-08 was £2,210 million. 3. The figure is for Great Britain and is in cash terms. It does not include any administration costs related to the processing of jobseeker's allowance claims. Sources: 100 per cent. count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems. DWP accounting data. | |
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what information his Department holds on the amount of time each jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimant has received JSA in the last (a) two and (b) five years; [236860]
(2) what data his Department holds in respect of repeat jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants on (a) the periods between different claims, (b) whether a claimant finds employment between different claims of JSA and (c) when people spent time on the New Deal Training Allowance between claims. [236868]
Mr. McNulty: The source of much of the published data on benefit claims is the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS). It links benefit and programme information from administrative datasets held by DWP on its customers with employment records from Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC), and is used within the Department in a wide range of projects for example research, policy evaluation, modelling and forecasting, and in the Job Outcome Target to measure how many people JobCentre Plus have helped into work. Further details on WPLS and its uses are published at
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/longitudinal_study/ic_longitudinal_study.asp.
The amount and quality of information held on the WPLS varies by benefit group; the datasets themselves are complex, and can be complicated to analyse and quality assure. Where quality assurance has been carried out to National Statistics standards, statistics from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study are published on the Department's website via the Tabulation Tool (www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/tabtool.asp) and the Nomis website, the Office for National Statistics website of official labour market statistics (www.nomisweb.co.uk), both of which allow users to construct their own tables.
The preferred source of information on JSA claimants is the monthly claimant count which is published on Nomis. This includes a breakdown of destination for claimants leaving JSA, but this information is incomplete and should be treated with caution. The percentage of claimant off-flows with no destination recorded has increased over the last 10 years, which should be taken into account when interpreting these statistics. For example, 25 per cent. of off-flows in December 1998 had no destination recorded, compared to 38 per cent. of off-flows in December 2007.
Statistics on new deal are published on the Tabulation Tool, including information on immediate destination on leaving, whether employment, benefits or other destinations.
Work is continuously ongoing to improve the range of published information.
The published data does not include information on the amount of time each jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimant has received JSA in the last (a) two and (b) five years; or, in respect of repeat jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants, on (a) the periods between different claims, (b) whether a claimant finds employment between different claims of JSA and (c) when people spent time on the new deal training allowance between claims. It could be obtained only after a complex analysis of the available data and a comprehensive assurance process to ensure that the data was correct. As a result it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 1997W—continued
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of people who started to claim jobseeker's allowance in each of the last 12 months were women, broken down by (a) profession, (b) region and (c) age. [231657]
Mr. McNulty: The available information has been placed in the Library.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households are receiving local housing allowance at a rate of (a) under £5,000, (b) between £5,001 and £7,000, (c) between £7,001 and £10,000, (d) between £10,001 and £15,000 and (e) over £15,000 per month. [236862]
Kitty Ussher: This information is not currently available at a national level.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the maximum level of local housing allowance in each broad market rental area is for a (a) one bedroom, (b) two bedroom, (c) three bedroom, (d) four bedroom, (e) five bedroom, (f) six bedroom, (g) seven bedroom, (h) eight bedroom, (i) nine bedroom and (j) 10 bedroom property. [236863]
Kitty Ussher: The local housing allowance rates for property sizes up to five bedrooms are published by The Rent Service. The most easily accessible version of this information can be found on the Rent Service's internet site at:
https://lha-direct.therentservice.gov.uk/Secure/LHARateSearch.aspx?SearchType=LA.
Rates for six through to 10 bedrooms are not published as they are calculated individually by rent officers where a claim for benefit requiring these rates has been made.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in what circumstances local housing allowance may be paid at a rate above the average market rent in a given area. [236864]
Kitty Ussher: The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is not paid at rates above average market rents. The amount a tenant can receive is subject to the overall limit of the average market rent appropriate for their area and household size.
An LHA rate is a median value calculated from a list of rents, for a given number of bedrooms, collected from the private rented sector in a broad rental market area. As the LHA is a median value, the middle value from the list of rents held in ascending order, it should ensure that half of the properties in the broad rental market area will be affordable for housing benefit customers.
The Rent Service determines the median rents for each broad rental market area using information about actual confirmed tenancies. Details of average market rents in Broad Market Rent Areas are published on a monthly basis by The Rent Service online at
www.therentservice.gov.uk/.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what process was used to set area boundaries for local housing allowance; and if he will make a statement. [237646]
Kitty Ussher: The area boundaries, or broad rental market areas (BRMAs), used to determine local housing allowance, are set by rent officers in the three national rent services. BRMAs are intended to reflect the patterns of areas in which people live and enjoy a range of services, and the rental values within those areas.
Specifically, rent officers took account of health, education, recreation, banking and finance facilities in each area reviewed. Local authorities were consulted on the proposed changes in advance of area boundaries being implemented.
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will introduce a system of variations to the standard rate of interest as applied to claims made for mortgage interest payments to allow for the fact that some lenders do not pass on Bank of England interest rate cuts to their borrowers. [238646]
Kitty Ussher:
We continue to keep under review the support available for mortgage interest. We have already announced that, for working age people, there will be an increase in the upper mortgage limit from £100,000
to £200,000, and a decrease in the waiting period from 39 weeks to 13 weeks, both from January next year.
We also announced that the standard interest rate which is used as part of the calculation of support for mortgage interest will be maintained at its current level for the next six months, rather than reflecting the 1.5 per cent. reduction in the Bank of England Base Rate.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many new National Insurance numbers, excluding those generated automatically on reaching the age of 16 years, have been issued in each (a) London borough and (b) county of England in each of the last five years. [238236]
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent on the New Deal 50 Plus Programme, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [230561]
Mr. McNulty: Due to the reorganisation of Jobcentre Plus over the past five years it is not possible to provide comparable data at district level. The available information is in the table.
| Expenditure on New Deal 50 Plus broken down by nation and Government office region | |||||||||
| £ million | |||||||||
| 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-5 | 2005-6 | 2006-7 | 2007-08 | |
| Notes: 1. New Deal 50 plus started in 2000. 2. Expenditure figures exclude admin costs as they cannot be identified since 2002-03 when ringfences were removed with agreement from HM Treasury. 3. All the above figures are confirmed spend and are quoted in cash terms. 4. The source of the above data is from the DWP financial systems. The New Deal 50 plus totals agree to the departmental report. 5. New Deal 50 plus costs reduce after 2002-03 as the 50 plus element of the working tax credit transferred to HMRC. | |||||||||
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of claimants on the New Deal 50 Plus entered sustainable employment immediately in each month since May 2007, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement. [231131]
Mr. McNulty: The information requested is not available.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of Crosby constituency are enrolled in the New Deal 50 plus programme. [236689]
Mr. McNulty: Statistics relating to current participants on New Deal 50 Plus are not available.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of (1) leavers from the New Deal for Disabled People Programme entered immediately into sustainable employment in each month since March 2006, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement; [230533]
(2) claimants on the New Deal for Disabled People Programme entered sustainable employment immediately in each month since March 2006, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement. [231130]
Mr. McNulty: The information requested is not available.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the annual cost was of the New Deal for Disabled People Programme in each year since establishment, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement. [231078]
Mr. McNulty: Due to the re-organisation of Jobcentre Plus over the past five years it is not possible to provide comparable data at district level. The available information is in the table.
| Expenditure on new deal for disabled people broken down by nation and Government office region | |||||
| £million | |||||
| 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2002W—continued
| Expenditure on new deal for disabled people broken down by nation and Government office region | |||||
| £million | |||||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
| Notes: 1. New deal for disabled people started in 2001. 2. Expenditure figures exclude admin. costs as they cannot be identified since 2002-03 when ringfences were removed with agreement from HM Treasury. 3. All the above figures are confirmed spend and are quoted in cash terms. 4. The source of the above data is from the DWP financial systems. The new deal for disabled people totals agree to the departmental report. | |||||
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what employment programmes lone parents with children under the age of 12 years will be eligible to take part in once the flexible new deal has been implemented nationally and employment zone contracts have ended; and if he will make a statement. [238216]
Kitty Ussher: All lone parents will have voluntary access to new deal for lone parents from the start of their jobseeker’s allowance claim. After six months, the full range of new deal for lone parents help will be available to all lone parents as part of the Supported Jobsearch. Those lone parents who reach 12 months on jobseeker’s allowance will switch to flexible new deal provision.
The flexible new deal is contracted, personalised provision. Providers will ensure that job-search support is tailored to the specific needs of lone parents and address related barriers to employment.
However, we expect the large majority of all jobseekers to have left jobseeker’s allowance within the first 12
months, before entering the flexible new deal. The reformed jobseeker’s allowance from next April will contain escalating support and conditionality which is designed to encourage all jobseekers to seek sustained work actively, including help with skills needs and practical help with job search.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of claimants on New Deal for Musicians Programme entered immediately into sustainable employment in each month since establishment, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement. [231079]
Mr. McNulty: The information requested is not available. New deal for musicians is delivered as part of the mainstream new deal for young people and new deal 25-plus programmes; job outcomes for new deal for musicians are now incorporated into statistics for these mainstream programmes.
Jenny Willott:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of (1)
leavers from the New Deal for Partners Programme entered immediately into sustainable employment, in each month since May 2007, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement; [230531]
(2) claimants on New Deal for Partners Programme entered immediately into sustainable employment in each month since May 2007, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement. [231080]
Mr. McNulty: The information requested is not available.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the annual cost of the New Deal for Partners Programme was in each year since establishment, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement. [231083]
Mr. McNulty: Due to the re-organisation of Jobcentre Plus over the past five years it is not possible to provide comparable data at district level. The available information is in the table.
| Expenditure on new deal for partners broken down by nation and Government office region | |||||
| £million | |||||
| 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | |
| Expenditure on new deal for partners broken down by nation and Government office region | |||||
| £million | |||||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
| Notes: 1. New deal for partners started in 1999 and was re-launched in 2004. 2. Expenditure figures exclude administration costs as they cannot be identified since 2002-03 when ringfences were removed with agreement from HM Treasury. 3. All the above figures are confirmed spend and are quoted in cash terms. 4. Where negative figures are shown against non regional/national level spend, this reflects minor accounting adjustments made as a result of audit, which are credited at national rather than regional level. 5. The source of the above data is from the DWP financial systems. The new deal for partners totals agree to the departmental report. | |||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2004W—continued
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the cost of the New Deal for Young People programme has been, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement; [230562]
(2) what the annual cost of the New Deal 25 Plus programme was in each year since its inception, broken down by (a) region and (b) Jobcentre Plus district; and if he will make a statement. [231132]
Mr. McNulty: Due to the re-organisation of Jobcentre Plus over the past five years it is not possible to provide comparable data at district level. The available information is in the table.
| Expenditure on New Deal for Young People and New Deal 25 Plus broken down by nation and Government office region | |||||
| £ million | |||||
| 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | |
| Expenditure on New Deal for Young People and New Deal 25 Plus broken down by nation and Government office region | |||||
| £ million | |||||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
| Notes: 1. New Deal for Young People and New Deal 25 Plus started in 1998. 2. New Deal for Young People and New Deal 25 Plus are not accounted for separately at a regional level so the combined totals are shown. 3. Expenditure figures exclude admin costs as they cannot be identified since 2002-03 when ringfences were removed with agreement from HM Treasury. 4. All the above figures are confirmed spend and are quoted in cash terms. 5. The source of the above data is from the DWP financial systems. The totals agree to the Departmental Report. | |||||
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2008, Official Report, column 7W, which potential bidders (a) he, (b) Ministers and (c) officials in his Department have met in the last six months to discuss the flexible new deal. [230032]
Mr. McNulty: DWP Ministers and officials have had regular meetings with a wide range of diverse organisations interested and involved in bidding for flexible new deal, both before and after the formal start of the competition. Further details of these organisations is commercially and business sensitive.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what modelling his Department has carried out on different economic and labour market conditions in assessing the (a) funding and (b) central employment estimates for the flexible new deal contracts; and if he will make a statement. [235924]
Mr. McNulty: The Department for Work and Pensions published its CSR2007 three year spending plan in February 2008. Copies of this are available in the Library. The Department has been planning for the impact of higher levels of jobseeker's allowance claims as a result of potential changes in the labour market in the coming months. We are developing plans right across our areas of responsibility including contracted employment provision to assess and manage the impact of an economic downturn.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on the New Deal programme from its inception to August 2008. [238380]
Mr. McNulty: Audited figures are only available for the period to 31 March 2008. Expenditure from the inception of the programme in April 1998 to that date was £3,527 million.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average expenditure has been on each person who has found employment through the New Deal programme. [238381]
Mr. McNulty: Data is only available for the New Deal for Young People and New Deal 25+ and for the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2008 inclusive. For these programmes, over this period the average expenditure on each person who has found employment is £3,321.
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) people, (b) young people, (c) lone parents, (d) people over 25 years and (e) people over 50 years participated in the New Deal in (i) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency, (ii) the London Borough of Bexley and (iii) Greater London in 2007. [215079]
Mr. McNulty: The available information on the number of New Deal starts is shown in the following table.
| Starts on new deals in Bexley (local authority), London (Government Office Region), Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency: 2007 | |||
| New D eal (ND) | Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency | Bexley (local authority) | London (Government Office Region) |
| Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: New Deal Evaluation Database, Information Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions (May 2008 extract) | |||
Precise information on starts for New Deal 50 Plus is not available. The number of individuals to have started on New Deal for 50 Plus excluding those who have returned to the New Deal in 2008 is however available. If this measure is used then in 2007, 2,010 individuals are shown as starting New Deal 50 Plus in London (Government Office Region) and 30 in Bexley local authority area. As noted this may undercount the number of people starting as only the latest start is counted and some may have returned to the New Deal in 2008.
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to promote the use of the Health and Safety Executive toolkit to help employers reduce the risk of violence against shopworkers. [238770]
Jonathan Shaw: Local authorities (LAs) are responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation in retail and licensed premises. HSE and LACORS (the Local Authority Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services) have disseminated the toolkit and its accompanying summary leaflet to all LAs in England, Scotland and Wales, and encouraged them to promote the toolkit, which is freely available, to relevant employers in their own areas.
HSE is targeting promotional activity in the retail and hospitality sectors to encourage use of the toolkit, by publishing information in sector-based websites, newsletters and journals, and through direct contact at relevant conferences and seminars.
Additionally, HSE is encouraging members of the stakeholder Partnership on Work-related Violence (which includes the TUC, CBI, USDAW—Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers and BRC—British Retail Consortium) to promote the toolkit from within their own networks.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2008W—continued
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many occupational pension schemes have fully wound up since 1997; how many are in the process of winding up; and what the membership of such schemes was in each year since 1997. [226171]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The following information was provided by the pensions regulator.
(a) The number of schemes in the UK that have wound up for a variety of reasons since 2 April 1997 is 76,675
(b) The number of schemes that have been winding up since 2 April 1997 is 7,590. The total membership of these schemes is 358,871.
Notes:
1. The data supplied by the pensions regulator is current as at 9 October 2008. It has been enhanced and updated with information received via the new scheme returns, which includes new data for small defined contribution schemes.
2. A wound up scheme is one which has notified the pensions regulator that it has completed winding up procedures. In some cases schemes notify the pensions regulator that they have completed winding up procedures without having previously notified the regulator that they have commenced winding up procedures.
3. A winding up scheme is one which has notified the pensions regulator that it has commenced winding up procedures.
4. Total membership includes active, deferred and pensioner members. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of these numbers.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Pensions Regulator on the ability of companies with final salary pension schemes to make up the shortfalls in assets following the credit crunch. [239893]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Harper:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on the Pathways to Work programme in (a) 2003-04, (b) 2004-05, (c) 2005-06, (d) 2006-07 and (e) 2007-08, broken down by district; how many customers on the programme in each district were in employment for 13 consecutive weeks or more in each year from 2003-04 to 2007-08;
and how much he plans to spend on the programme in (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11. [234059]
Mr. McNulty [holding answer 10 November 2008]: The available information about past and planned expenditure on Pathways to Work is in the tables. Information about past expenditure by district could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information on how many customers on the Pathways programme were in employment for 13 consecutive weeks or more in each year from 2003-04 to 2007-08 is not available.
| Pathways to work past expenditure | |||||
| £millions | |||||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
| Notes: 1. Pathways to Work started in October 2003 in five districts. Consequently, expenditure was low in 2003-04 and has increased as the programme has rolled out nationally. 2. Expenditure figures exclude administration costs as they cannot be separately identified at a programme level. 3. All figures are confirmed spend and are quoted in cash terms. 4. A full regional breakdown of Pathways to Work spend is not available after 2004-05 as Pathways to Work was managed centrally as a project and spend was captured at a national level. 5. Figures of zero represent costs of less than £0.5 million and therefore round to zero. 6. Figures are rounded to the nearest £1 million and are all subject to rounding differences. Source: DWP financial systems. | |||||
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) when it became possible for an out-of-work man aged between 60 to 64 years old to claim pension credit instead of jobseeker's allowance; [236959]
(2) what benefits an unemployed man aged between 60 and 64 years old was entitled to claim before the introduction of pension credit. [236960]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Pension Credit was introduced on the 6 October 2003, prior to its introduction men aged between 60 and 64 were able to choose whether they claimed the Minimum Income Guarantee (Income Support for those aged 60 or over) or Jobseekers Allowance—provided they met the eligibility criteria. When Pension Credit replaced the Minimum Income Guarantee, men in this group could continue to choose between claiming Pension Credit or Jobseekers Allowance, again provided they met the eligibility criteria.
The age from which people can get Pension Credit will gradually increase from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020. This is in line with women's state pension age which is increasing to 65, the same as for men.
Before Pension Credit was introduced, unemployed men aged between 60 to 64 may have been eligible for one or more of the following benefits dependant on their circumstances: Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, DLA, Incapacity Benefit, Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent's Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. These benefits remain available to men in this age group, with the exception of Income Support.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of pension credit claimants received a premium for each type of housing cost in each year since pension credit was introduced. [238212]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The information that is available is in the following table.
| Pension credit household recipients with an additional amount for housing costs 2003-08 | ||||
| Total household recipients with an additional amount for housing costs | Proportion of total pension credit caseload (percentage) | Households recipients with an additional amount for mortgage interest payments | Proportion of total pension credit caseload (percentage) | |
| Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. Household recipients are those people who claim Pension Credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household. 3. Column 4 represents those households that receive an additional amount for housing costs in respect of mortgage interest payments. These figures form part of the total housing costs figures in column 2 Source: DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample | ||||
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of the housing cost premium paid out to pension credit claimants in each year since it was introduced. [238213]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Pension Credit recipients may be eligible to additional help with certain housing costs which they are liable to pay, that are not covered by Housing Benefit. Housing costs include mortgage interest payments, and other allowable charges such as ground rents and certain service charges. The Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee of £124.05 for single pensioners (£189.35 for couples) is increased by the relevant amount of the housing cost where the customer is entitled to an additional amount for housing. In the 2008 Pre-Budget Report the Chancellor announced that from April 2009 the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee will rise to £130 a week for single pensioners, £198.45 for couples, which represents the largest increase since its introduction.
The guarantee element of Pension Credit tops income up to the appropriate guarantee level, which means that people entitled to an additional amount for housing costs could receive either more or less than the additional amount for housing costs depending on their circumstances. It is not possible to specify what element of a Pension Credit payment relates specifically to the additional amount for housing costs, therefore the following table contains Pension Credit expenditure where there is entitlement to an additional amount for housing costs.
| Expenditure on pension credit customers entitled to an additional amount for housing costs | ||
| Expenditure in cash terms (£)m | Expenditure in 2008-09 prices (£m) | |
| Notes: (1). Pension Credit was introduced October 2003, so expenditure figures for 2003-04 are part year figures. (2). Estimates represent the expenditure on total Pension Credit for those claimants who are entitled to an additional amount for housing costs. Depending on the customer's income, this may be either higher or lower than the nominal value of the additional amount for housing costs. It is not possible to specify what part of expenditure relates to the additional amount for housing costs. (3). Expenditure has been converted from cash terms to 2008-09 prices using GDP Deflators which were published alongside the 2008 pre-Budget Report. Source: DWP: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent data, five per cent. sample data and DWP Accounting Systems. | ||
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) maximum and (b) minimum amount was that can be paid to claimants of the additional housing cost premium of pension credit in each year since its introduction. [238214]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Pension Credit recipients may be eligible to additional help with certain housing costs which they are liable to pay, that are not covered by Housing Benefit. Housing costs include mortgage interest payments, and other allowable charges such as ground rents and certain service charges.
No minimum or maximum thresholds are applied to housing costs with the exception of mortgage interest and interest on loans. Generally there is a £100,000 limit on the outstanding capital of a loan. If the loan is for more than £100,000 then only the interest on £100,000 can be included in an assessment of an additional amount for housing costs.
The £100,000 limit does not apply if the loan was taken out and used in full, or in part, to adapt their home for the special needs of a disabled person.
The £100,000 limit was introduced on 10 April 1995.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average amount is of the additional housing cost premium of pension credit which has been paid to claimants in receipt of it in each year since its introduction; and if he will make a statement. [238215]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Pension Credit recipients may be eligible to additional help with certain housing costs which they are liable to pay, that are not covered by Housing Benefit. Housing costs include mortgage interest payments, and other allowable charges such as ground rents and certain service charges. The Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee of £124.05 for single pensioners (£189.35 for couples) is increased by the relevant amount of the housing cost where the customer is entitled to an additional amount for housing.
The guarantee element of Pension Credit tops income up to the appropriate guarantee level, which means that people entitled to an additional amount for housing costs could receive a Pension Credit payment of either more or less than the additional amount for housing depending on their circumstances. It is not possible to specify what element of a Pension Credit payment relates specifically to the additional amount for housing costs.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2012W—continued
The average weekly additional amount for housing costs included in Pension Credit assessments is shown in the following table. This does not equate to a payment of Pension Credit, rather it reflects the average amount by which people's appropriate minimum guarantee has been increased to take account of relevant housing costs.
| Average Weekly Amount of Housing Costs | |
| £ | |
| Note: 1. Average amounts are shown as pounds per week and rounded to the nearest penny. Source: DWP Information Directorate five per cent sample. | |
Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people over working age with fixed rate mortgages and in receipt of pension credit who will fall into mortgage arrears in the next 12 months following reductions in the standard interest rate component of their benefit. [238340]
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much in overpaid pension credits was recovered by his Department in each (a) month of 2008-09 to date and (b) year from 2003-04 to 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. [230484]
Mr. McNulty: (a) Pension Credit recovered each month 2008-09 to date:
| £ million | |
| Note: Rounded to the nearest decimal point | |
(b) Pension credit recovered each year from 2003-04 to 2007-08:
| £ million | |
| Note: Rounded to the nearest decimal point | |
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what average amount per case of overpaid pension credits was clawed back by his Department in (a) each month of 2008-09 and (b) each of the last five financial years; and if he will make a statement. [231028]
Mr. McNulty: It is not possible to provide information in the format requested as some overpayments are paid back by lump sum. Where a customer repays an overpayment by weekly deductions from their pension credit, regulations limit the amount that can be deducted to a maximum of £9.15, and £12 in fraud related cases.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what average amount per case of overpaid pension credits was clawed back by his Department per case taken to court over repayment in (a) each month of 2008-09 and (b) each of the last five financial years; and if he will make a statement. [231030]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Information is not available on the amount recovered in pension credit cases where civil enforcement action has been taken.
It is not normal practice to pursue enforcement of an overpayment through civil proceedings where a customer is in receipt of benefit. Typically people over pension age would be in receipt of benefit from which compulsory deductions can be taken to repay an overpayment.
Where the customer is in receipt of benefit, deductions from benefit will be arranged compulsorily to recover an outstanding debt.
In the exceptional circumstances, where a person is no longer in receipt of benefit we would normally seek an agreement to pay by instalments. If no such agreement can be reached, then only as a last resort would civil proceedings be considered.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in each constituency in Wales claimed pension credit in each year since it was introduced. [238634]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The information requested is in the following tables.
| Household recipients of pension credit in parliamentary constituencies in Wales: November 2003 to May 2005 | |||
| Constituency | November 2003 | May 2004 | May 2005 |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2015W—continued
| Household recipients of pension credit in parliamentary constituencies in Wales: May 2006 to May 2008 | |||
| Constituency | May 2006 | May 2007 | May 2008 |
| Notes: 1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest ten, totals may not sum due to rounding. 2. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf on a household. Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study | |||
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pension credit applications were not processed within 10 days in each of the last three years. [226155]
Ms Rosie Winterton: While the majority of claims are processed within the actual average clearance time target, there are some cases where it is necessary to request additional information from the customer to ensure they get all the money to which they are entitled.
The time taken to process a claim does not affect the start date of payments. Payment will be backdated to the point the claim was first submitted.
People should claim as soon as they think they are eligible. From October customers can claim four benefits in one free phone call: state pension, pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit. In some circumstances, we will also arrange face to face visits to help with completion of the claim.
| Pension credit clearance times | ||||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-208 | ( 1) 2008-09 | |
| (1) Year to date (September) (2) AACT - Actual Average Clearance Time Source: Pension Service Legacy System | ||||
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent by his Department on pensioners per capita in (a) Crosby constituency and (b) England in each year since 1997. [236690]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The requested information for Crosby constituency is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information for Great Britain is in the table.
| Great Britain expenditure on pensioners, per capita: Prices 2008-09 | |
| £ | |
| Notes: 1 Expenditure on pensioners per capita has been assembled from pensioner expenditure on the basic state pension, state second pension, pension credit, winter fuel payments, attendance allowance, disability living allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit. 2 Expenditure includes that going to people resident overseas. 3 Expenditure for pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and winter fuel payments includes that going to men aged 60 to 64. 4 To calculate per capita expenditure, the assembled expenditure was divided by pensioner populations, namely men and women over state pension age. 5 All figures are for Great Britain. Information regarding Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Office. 6 The DWP expenditure tables can be found on the DWP website at the following address: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp Source: The information has been calculated using DWP accounting data and the 2006-based population projections published by the Office for National Statistics. | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2017W—continued
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to protect pensioners from the effects of rising living costs. [236765]
Ms Rosie Winterton: There is a statutory requirement to review all social security benefits each year and to increase certain benefits from April each year.
The increases are calculated for most benefits using the annual inflation figure for the preceding September. This ensures that benefits keep their real value in broad terms, and any fluctuations throughout the year feed into this rate.
In the 2008 pre-Budget Report the Chancellor announced that from April 2009 the full basic state pension will rise to £95.25 and the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee will rise to £130 a week for single pensioners, £198.45 for couples, which represents the largest increase since its introduction.
The Chancellor also announced that every pensioner will get a one-off payment of £60, on top of the £10 Christmas bonus, from January 2009. This is in addition to earlier announcements about extra help available for pensioners.
In the Budget 2008 speech the Chancellor announced that for winter 2008-09 an additional payment will be made alongside the Winter Fuel Payment. Households with a member aged 60 to 79 will receive an additional £50 and households with a member aged 80 or over will receive an additional £100. This makes the Winter Fuel Payment £250 and £400 respectively for winter 2008-09 which provides a significant contribution towards an older person's winter fuel bill.
On 11 September 2008 the Government announced a new £1 billion package of measures to help people cut their energy bills. Measures on offer deliver significant energy savings including increased help with cavity wall and loft insulation. 11 million lower income and pensioner households are eligible for these free of charge. And for winter 2008-09 Cold Weather Payments will increase in value from £8.50 to £25.00. Cold Weather Payments are made to vulnerable people in receipt of qualifying benefits, including Pension Credit, if there is a period of very cold weather in their area.
Addressing pensioner poverty has been one of the Government's key priorities since 1997. The number of pensioners on relative low income in the UK has fallen from 2.9 million in 1998-9 to 2.1 million in 2006-07 (measured as below the threshold of 60 per cent of. contemporary median household income after housing costs).
Pensioners are less likely to be in poverty than the population as a whole, after housing costs are accounted for.
Pension Credit, a key element of the strategy to tackle pensioner poverty, ensures no pensioner need live on less than £124.05 a week for single people and £189.35 a week for couples. It makes a difference to the income of millions of older people. Since Pension Credit was introduced in 2003 the number of pensioners on relative low incomes has fallen by around 500,000 (measured as below the threshold of 60 per cent. of contemporary median household income after housing costs).
Non-cash benefits in kind make a real difference to the lives of millions of UK pensioners. These include free NHS prescriptions and eye tests for those over 60 and free TV licences for those over 75. People aged over 60 and disabled people living in England are entitled to free England-wide off-peak bus travel, and similar schemes are available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. British Citizens born before 2 September 1929 can apply for a free ten-year UK passport and from April 2009 local authorities will be able to offer free swimming to the over 60s, in a scheme jointly funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, Department of Health and Department for Work and Pensions.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent by his Department on pensioners per capita in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire in each year since 1997. [238106]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The requested information for Hemel Hempstead and Hertfordshire is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information for Great Britain is in the table.
| Great Britain expenditure on pensioners, per capita | |
| 2008-09 prices (£) | |
| Notes: 1. Expenditure on pensioners per capita has been assembled from pensioner expenditure on the basic state pension, state second pension, pension credit, winter fuel payments, attendance allowance, disability living allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit. 2. Expenditure includes that going to people resident overseas. 3. Expenditure for pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and winter fuel payments includes that going to men aged 60 to 64. 4. To calculate per capita expenditure, the assembled expenditure was divided by pensioner populations, namely men and women over state pension age. 5. All figures are for Great Britain. 6. The DWP expenditure tables can be found on the DWP website at the following address: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp Source: The information has been calculated using DWP accounting data and the 2006-based population projections published by the Office for National Statistics. | |
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many pensioners in Crosby constituency are in receipt of winter fuel allowance; and how much his Department has paid to such pensioners in winter fuel allowance in 2008 to date; [236606]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of households in Crosby constituency which will receive the (a) £250 and (b) £400 winter fuel payment in 2008-09. [236688]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The exercise to make winter fuel payment for 2008-09 is currently underway and data is not yet available. Figures for winter 2007-08 are not yet available.
Winter fuel payments to 13,800 pensioners and 9,470 households in the Crosby constituency with a member aged 60-79; and
Winter Fuel Payments to 3,520 pensioners and 2,960 households in the Crosby constituency with a member aged 80 or over.
We expect similar numbers to receive the £250 and £400 respectively in 2008-09.
Please note that a small number of these households receive amounts higher than the usual rate for their age group, where the household includes more than two individuals each entitled to payments at half of the usual household rate.
Notes:
1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10.
2. Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
Source:
Information directorate 100 per cent data.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average income of the poorest 33 per cent. of pensioners is in 2008; and what it was in 1997. [236607]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Specific information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in “Households Below Average Income 1994-95 to 2006-07”. This annual report, which is a National Statistics publication, includes the numbers and proportions of pensioners with incomes below 50 per cent. 60 per cent. and 70 per cent. of median income and by quintile of the income distribution.
Information on the median equivalised income of the 33 per cent. of pensioners with the lowest household incomes in the periods 1996-97 to 1998-99 and 2004-05 to 2006-07 is shown in the following table. Median equivalised incomes are given rather than mean equivalised incomes, as these are less influenced by extreme values. The Households Below Average Income publication also uses median rather than mean equivalised incomes. These statistics are based on a three year average to help take account of small sample sizes in certain parts of the income distribution and statistical variation across the years.
These figures are based on sampling and estimates. Movements in data over short periods may be due to sampling error but over a longer period trends are useful. Particular caution is required when looking at the very lowest incomes on the Family Resources Survey as those households stating the lowest incomes to the FRS may not actually have the lowest living standards. Many people who report very low incomes appear to have high spending.
Median equivalised income of the 33 per cent. of pensioners with the lowest incomes increased by 41 per cent. in real terms between 1996-97 to 1998-99 and 2004-05 to 2006-07. Measures introduced by the Government since 1997 to help those on the lowest incomes include the introduction of the Minimum Income Guarantee and its successor Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Payments for those aged 60 and over. For 2009, we will raise the standard minimum guarantee to £130—an above indexation increase of £5.95. We will be making an additional payment for winter 2008-09 of £50 for households with someone aged 60-79 and £100 for those with someone aged 80 or over. And in addition to this the Government will make a payment in the new year of £60 for each pensioner, equivalent to bringing forward uprating of the basic State Pension from April to January.
| Median equivalised weekly pensioner incomes for the 33 per cent. of pensioners with the lowest incomes, 1996-97 to 1998-99 and 2004-05 to 2006-07 (2006-07 prices, £, after housing costs) | |
| Period | Median income (£) |
| Notes: 1. The information shown is for the United Kingdom for 2004-05 to 2006-07, and Great Britain for 1996-97 to 19998-99. 2. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication ‘Households Below Average Income’ (HBAI) series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or “equivalised”) for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 3. The income distribution is based on pensioners only. 4. Based on survey data and as such subject to a degree of sampling and non sampling error. 5. The quintiles and deciles are derived using OECD equivalisation factors. 6. Weekly income amounts have been rounded to the nearest whole pound and are given in 2006-07 prices. | |
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of pensioners over the age of (a) 60, (b) 65 and (c) 70 years were subject to means testing in each year since 1997. [231968]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The information that is available is in the following tables.
Some households may be in receipt of more than one of the benefits in the tables so it is not correct to add the recipients on the different benefits together to get an overall total of the number of people in receipt of a means tested benefit.
| Pension credit household recipients | |||
| Claimant aged 60 or over | Claimant aged 65 or over | Claimant aged 70 or over | |
| Income support household recipients | |||
| Claimant aged 60 or over | Claimant aged 65 or over | Claimant aged 70 or over | |
| Notes: 1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household. 3. Individual beneficiaries includes both claimants and their partners. Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data | |||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2022W—continued
| Housing benefit and council tax benefit recipients | ||||||
| Housing benefit recipients aged 60 or over | Council tax benefit recipients aged 60 or over | Housing benefit recipients aged 65 or over | Council tax benefit recipients aged 65 or over | Housing benefit recipients aged 70 or over | Council tax benefit recipients aged 70 or over | |
| Notes: 1. The figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. 2. The data refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple. 3. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand. 4. Council tax benefit figures exclude any single adult rebate cases. Source: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, Annual 1 per cent. sample, taken in May 1997 to 2004. | ||||||
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many personal injury claims against his Department from its employees arose out of the floods in June 2007; and which of his Department's districts such claims relate to. [233169]
Jonathan Shaw: The Department for Work and Pensions took receipt of one personal injury claim from an employee that arose from the floods in June 2007. The claim relates to Sheffield district (within Jobcentre Plus).
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2008, Official Report, columns 561-62W, on the Post Office card account, if he will estimate the cost to his Department of the tendering and bidding process for the Post Office card account; and what information his Department holds on the costs of the processes. [238559]
Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 24 November 2008]: It is not possible to give a precise figure for my Department’s costs in undertaking the procurement exercise, but I shall write to the hon. Member with an estimate of the costs of the staff directly involved in the procurement and will place a copy of my letter in the Library.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much compensation will be paid to failed bidders for the Post Office Card Account contract. [238632]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The other bidders who were still in the competition at the point at which it was halted will be reimbursed for their reasonable bid costs. The precise amounts payable will be subject to commercial confidentiality.
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2008, Official Report, columns 561-62W, on the Post Office card account, what were the names of the other bidders who were still in the competition at the point it was halted. [239459]
Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 25 November 2008]: The identity of the other bidders is subject to the normal principles of commercial confidentiality and it would not, therefore, be appropriate to make their names public.
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of (a) conducting the review into the operation of and (b) placing the contract for the Post Office card account. [239819]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The contract to be entered into with the Post Office for delivery of a successor to the current Post Office card account will be commercially confidential. It is not possible to give a precise figure for my Department’s costs in undertaking the procurement exercise, but I shall write to the hon. Member with an estimate of the costs of the staff directly involved in the procurement and will place a copy of my letter in the Library.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps the Government have taken towards their target to end child poverty by 2020. [238383]
Kitty Ussher: Some 600,000 children have been lifted out of relative poverty since 1998-99. Government measures over the past two years will lift around a further 500,000 children from relative poverty.
As a result of the support we have introduced, families with children in the poorest fifth of the population are already on average £4,100 a year better off than in 1997. The measures my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced in the pre-Budget report will increase this to £4,400 by 2009-10.
The pre-Budget report also announced that the commitment to increase the child element of the child tax credit by £25 above indexation will be brought forward from April 2010 to this coming April. A £50 increase had already been planned from that date so from April 2009 the child element will therefore rise by £75 above indexation to £2,235.
Planned increases in child benefit, from £18.80 per week to £20 for the first child and from £12.55 to £13.20 for subsequent children, will also be brought forward to this January.
We have made substantial progress but we are not complacent. Despite the scale of the challenge, the Government's commitment to tackling child poverty is stronger than ever. The Prime Minister's recent announcement of our intention to legislate gives us renewed impetus.
We are investing in public services, such as education, health care and housing, which play a key role in overcoming some of the immediate effects of growing
up in poverty, and have provided poor children with opportunities to enhance their life chances and break cycles of deprivation. Hundreds of thousands of families have been helped by new tax credits, better public services and a renewed welfare state.
John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps are being taken by his Department to help eradicate child poverty in Leeds West constituency. [238805]
Kitty Ussher: We have made substantial progress in tackling child poverty. 600,000 children have been lifted out of relative poverty since 1998-99. As a result of the support we have introduced, families with children in the poorest fifth of the population, including those in Leeds West, are on average £4,100 a year better off than in 1997. The measures announced in the pre Budget report 2008 will increase this to £4,400 by 2009-10. In addition, Government measures over the past two years will result in lifting around a further 500,000 children from relative poverty.
The target of eradicating child poverty by 2020 cannot be achieved by Government alone. It requires sustained national, regional and local effort. Eradicating child poverty is a priority across Leeds. The Leeds local area agreement sets out the priorities for the city including several indicators which will impact on child poverty: reducing the numbers of 16 to 18 year olds not in education, training or employment; reducing the number of working age people on out of work benefits; and improving the skills of the working age population.
Leeds city council has recently been shortlisted for Beacon status, a prestigious award scheme that recognises excellence in local government, for their approach to preventing and tackling child poverty. Key themes for the council and its partners, including Jobcentre Plus, are: tackling the entrenched causes of poverty; reducing worklessness; promoting work readiness; improving financial inclusion; and raising attainment.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many staff in his Department left under (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) his Department and (Z) each of his Department's agencies; [237342]
(2) how many of his Department's staff who left under (a) an involuntary and (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if he will make a statement. [239166]
Jonathan Shaw: No staff have left under involuntary staff exit schemes. 108 staff have acquiesced to leave on compulsory redundancy terms.
Table 1 shows the number of staff who left the Department and its Agencies on staff exit schemes in each financial year since 2005-06 together with total costs.
Individual rates of pay for members of staff in the year before they left and consequently a breakdown by the bandings in the question is only available at disproportionate cost.
| Table 1 | |||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
| Note: The cost shown for 2007-08 is subject to final reconciliation of accounts. | |||
The Department's three-year plan for 2008 to 2011, published in February 2008, contained planning assumptions of headcount reductions of around 12,000 between April 2008 and March 2011.
However, the recent increase in unemployment will have an impact on departmental staffing levels. Future staffing plans, including the requirement for any managed staff exits are being actively reviewed as part of the Department's planning process.
Table 2 shows the number of staff who left the Department and its Agencies on all types of staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06, grouped by the value of their severance package:
| Table 2 | |||
| Cost of package | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Note: The figures include the cost of any lump sum payments. | |||
Mr. Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken in the last two years to assist those who have lost their jobs due to the closures of Remploy factories. [238670]
Jonathan Shaw: The Secretary of State guaranteed that no disabled factory employee would be made compulsorily redundant as a result of the changes announced in the modernisation plan and that any disabled employee who wanted to stay a Remploy employee on Remploy terms and conditions, could do so.
Remploy are working with former disabled factory employees who opted to remain as company employees, to find alternative mainstream jobs. For those disabled people who need extra support, Remploy are working with local social firms and Charities to provide a more supportive environment. In addition, Remploy are continuing to offer support in finding another job, to their former disabled factory employees who opted to take voluntary redundancy or early retirement, if they so wish.
Local Jobcentre Plus staff has worked with Remploy to provide help and advice to its employees since December
2007. Remploy employees have had access to jobseeking and benefits advice and to a local Disability Employment Adviser, where required.
Where appropriate, Jobcentre Plus liaised with local Remploy advisers to provide vacancy information and immediate access to Jobcentre Plus programmes and provision.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2026W—continued
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which Job Centre Plus districts underspent their allocations for (a) crisis loans, (b) budgeting loans and (c) community care grants in each year since 2003; how much and what proportion of the budget for each such district the underspend represented; and if he will make a statement. [214920]
Kitty Ussher: The loans budget, which covers crisis loans and budgeting loans, is managed centrally and re-allocations are made to Jobcentre Plus budget areas quarterly and towards the end of the year. Funds are taken from some of those budget areas with a projected end of year underspend and given to other budget areas. It is therefore not appropriate to consider which budget areas had an underspend on their loans budget.
The budget areas which underspent their community care grant allocation in 2007-08 are given in the following table, together with the amount of the underspend and the proportion of the budget which it represents.
| Community care grant budgets for 2007-08 which were underspent | ||
| Budget area | Underspend (£) | Underspend as proportion of budget (Percentage) |
| Notes: 1. In recent years there have been many changes to the boundaries of Jobcentre Plus districts. In some cases, a district has been split and the parts merged with other districts. For such a newly created district, precise data is not available on the amount spent during the entire financial year in the area covered by that newly created district. The last split took place in August 2006. Underspends have therefore been considered only for the financial year 2007-08. During that year, some districts merged, so the underspends have been calculated based on the structure of Jobcentre Plus districts (now budget areas) at the end of the year. 2. The budgets used are the ones allocated at the start of the year 2007-08, adjusted to take account of boundary changes. 3. Some budget areas came under pressure from unforeseen expenditure, eg because of people affected by flooding. These budget areas applied for and were granted an allocation from the Contingency Reserve. They therefore spent more than their allocation at the start of the year 2007-08. 4. Some of the underspends were actually spent on clerical cases, which are not recorded on PBMIS. Sources: Departmental records of budgets. DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System (PBMIS). Screen prints taken from the Social Fund Computer System when a Jobcentre Plus district was closed. | ||
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for (a) crisis loans, (b) budgeting loans and (c) community care grants were made to Jobcentre Plus in each month in the last 10 years for which information is available, broken down by (i) region and (ii) Jobcentre Plus district. [226220]
Kitty Ussher: The available information has been placed in the Library.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many grants of (a) crisis loans, (b) budgeting loans and (c) community care grants were made by Jobcentre Plus in each month of the last 10 years for which information is available, broken down by (i) region and (ii) Jobcentre Plus district. [226221]
Mr. McNulty: The available information has been placed in the Library.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid in (a) crisis loans, (b) budgeting loans and (c) community care grants to people in (i) each Jobcentre Plus district and (ii) each region in each month since April 2003; and if he will make a statement. [216051]
Kitty Ussher: The available information has been placed in the Library.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets have been put in place for the length of time within which telephone calls to Social Fund offices must be answered. [237939]
Kitty Ussher: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about what targets have been put in place to measure the length of time within which telephone calls to Social Fund offices must be answered. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
There are currently no targets in place regarding the length of time within which telephone calls to Social Fund offices must be answered.
We are part way through the implementation of our telephony modernisation programme. Therefore, although this does not currently form part of our Customer Service Target, we do measure the percentage of calls answered for those Crisis Loan lines which are supported by appropriate modernised telephony systems. We monitor this against an industry standard of 90% of calls received to be answered, which supports optimum deployment of resources.
As we fully roll out our telephony modernisation programme to support the delivery of Social Fund services on a uniform telephony platform, we will keep under review and develop our targets to support future service delivery.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average processing time for (a) jobseekers allowance, (b) housing benefit, (c) crisis loan, (d) community care grant and (e) budgeting loan applications was in (i) each of the smallest geographical areas for which information is available and (ii) the UK in each quarter of each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [230440]
Mr. McNulty: The available information has been placed in the Library.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department’s latest estimate is of the savings it will make from changing the backdating period for (a) pension credit, (b) council tax benefit and (c) housing benefit; and if he will make a statement. [230530]
Ms Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian Lucas) today.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many unprocessed applications for (a) crisis loans, (b) budgeting loans, (c) community care grants, (d) disability living allowance and (e) severe disability living allowance there were at the end of each quarter of the last five years (i) in total and (ii) broken down by the lowest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [231133]
Jonathan Shaw: Information on unprocessed applications for crisis loans, budgeting loans and community care grants has been placed in the Library.
Severe disablement allowance has been abolished for all new non-linking claims with a potential date of entitlement on or after 6 April 2001. Customers in receipt of severe disability allowance prior to 6 April
2001 will remain entitled as long as they continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions. As there can be no new claims for severe disability allowance from 6 April 2001, there are no unprocessed applications.
Information on unprocessed applications for disability living allowance new claims (normal rules) is provided in the following tables.
| DLA claims outstanding | ||||||||||||
| 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | ||||||||||
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2030W—continued
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |||||||
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
| n/a = Not applicable (see following note). Note: When Sutton DBC closed, the DLA new claims work was transferred to DCPU 5 New Claims Unit. When Newcastle DBC closed, the DLA new claims work was transferred to the Bootle and Wales offices (Bootle North East and Wales North East). When Edinburgh DBC closed, the DLA new claims work was transferred to DCPU 1 New Claims Unit. Source: RDA 80123 monthly report. | ||||||||
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of households with at least one person of working age which received benefits of all kinds in excess of (a) £100,000, (b) £75,000, (c) £50,000, (d) £30,000 and (e) £20,000 in the most recent year for which figures are available. [236865]
Mr. McNulty: It is estimated that the number of households with at least one person of working age which reported receiving benefits in excess of £20,000 per annum is 140,000. This represents 1 per cent. of all households with at least one person of working age.
The benefits being received by these households will, in the majority of cases, include disability related benefits and premiums.
Sample sizes are too small to yield reliable results for households with at least one person of working age in receipt of benefits greater than £30,000.
Source:
Family Resources Survey 2006-07
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much on average was paid in (a) incapacity benefit, (b) special disability allowance and (c) income support for the disabled in (i) each principal seaside town, (ii) lower layer super output area (LSOA) in each such town and (iii) the UK in each year since 1997; and in which ward of each town each LSOA is located. [238296]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of eligible residents of (a) the Luton Borough Council area and (b) local authority areas of similar size and population who are in receipt of (i) housing benefit, (ii) council tax benefit and (iii) pension credit. [240039]
Jonathan Shaw: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the number of benefit claimants served by Jobcentre Plus and its predecessors (a) in each year since 1997 and (b) in each of the last 24 months. [235353]
Mr. McNulty: Information is not available in the format requested. The available information has been placed in the Library.
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit claimants he expects will be served by Jobcentre Plus in each of the next five years. [235354]
Mr. McNulty: DWP have not produced planning assumptions for the number of individual benefit claimants who will be served by Jobcentre Plus in each of the next five years. We provide, in the following tables, planning assumptions of Jobcentre Plus benefit liveload and the number of claims that will be processed in each of the next three years to cover the period of the 2007 comprehensive spending review.
| Forecast of liveloads for the key Jobcentre Plus administered benefits from 2008-09 to 20010-11 | |||
| Thousand | |||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
| Notes: 1. The planning assumptions are consistent with pre-Budget report 2008 assumptions and all the relevant benefits incorporate the impact of the Welfare Reform Act 2007. 2. Jobseeker's allowance planning assumptions are based on HM Treasury unemployment assumptions to 2010-11. Secondary impacts from Welfare Reform and the changes to the entitlement of single parents to IS are included. 3. Income support planning assumptions include the changes to the entitlement of single parents to IS and the secondary impact of the Welfare Reform Act 2007. Source: Based on DWP Benefits Workload Planning Assumptions autumn 2008-09 | |||
| Forecast of Jobcentre Plus benefit claims processed from 2008-09 to 2010-11 | |||
| Thousand | |||
| 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |
| Notes: 1. The planning assumptions are consistent with pre-Budget report 2008 assumptions and all the relevant benefits incorporate the impact of the Welfare Reform Act 2007. 2. Jobseeker's allowance planning assumptions based on HM Treasury unemployment assumptions to 2010-11. Secondary impacts from Welfare Reform and the changes to the entitlement of single parents to IS are included. 3. Income support planning assumptions include the changes to the entitlement of single parents to IS and the secondary impact of the Welfare Reform Act 2007. 4. Social Fund figures are based on planning assumptions to 2010-11. Source: Based on DWP Benefits Workload Planning Assumptions autumn 2008-09 | |||
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's most recent estimate is of the effect that reducing to three months the backdating of (a) pension credit, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit will have on expenditure on those benefits in each of the next five years. [237714]
Ms Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian Lucas) on 26( )November.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2032W—continued
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people resident in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire were prosecuted for benefit fraud in each of the last five years. [233844]
Mr. McNulty: Information regarding DWP administered benefits is not available below national and regional level.
For housing benefit, information is not available below local authority level as this is the level that housing benefit is administered.
The total number of housing benefit related prosecutions accepted for prosecution in the County Of Hertfordshire is as follows:
| Prosecutions accepted for Hertfordshire | |
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. There is missing data in 2006-07 for one local authority in Hertfordshire for two quarters only. 2. There is missing data for four local authorities in 2007-08: three quarters data is missing for one local authority (with the largest number of prosecutions in 2006-07 (32)); two quarters missing data for one local authority; and one quarter’s data missing for two local authorities. 3. The local authorities that make up Hertfordshire are: Borough of Broxbourne; Dacorum Borough Council; East Herts District Council; Hertsmere Borough Council; North Hertfordshire District Council; St. Albans District Council; Stevenage Borough Council; Three Rivers District Council; Watford Borough Council; and, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council. Source: Housing Operational Database (HoBoD) from Stats 124 administrative returns provided by Local Authorities. (URL: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hobod/index.php) | |
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much he expects his Department’s We're closing in campaign to cost; what estimate he has made of the additional number of fraudulent benefit claimants to be caught as a result of the campaign; and what performance measures have been set for the campaign. [238376]
Mr. McNulty: Expenditure for the “We’re Closing In” campaign is forecast to be £6 million for 2008-09. The campaign aims to deter benefit thieves from stealing benefits by increasing their perception of the risk and consequences of getting caught. It is not possible to identify separately the additional numbers caught as a result of the campaign. The impact of the campaign will be gauged through tracking research which will measure:
fear of being caught if you commit fraud
awareness of the consequences of being caught
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of calls reporting benefit fraud led to a successful conviction in the last period for which figures are available. [238379]
Mr. McNulty: Every call to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline is examined by the Department. Where there is enough evidence the case is then passed to either the Fraud Investigation Service for investigation or to our compliance teams in Jobcentres, who will scrutinise the relevant benefit claim and make adjustments to entitlements.
In the period from April 2006 to March 2007, there were 215,924 calls to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline; 41,060 of which were suitable for investigation by fraud investigators.
In the majority of these cases benefit was adjusted and recovery action initiated but where there is a significant loss to public funds and it is considered in the public interest, prosecutions are considered. 451 convictions followed from referrals to the Hotline out of a total of 6,878 convictions in 2006-07.
Notes:
1. Count for number of investigations and convictions relates to DWP investigations only recorded on FIBS
2. Figures are for GB only.
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason the processing of benefits administration in respect of Gloucestershire has been moved from Cedar house, Gloucester, to St Austell, Cornwall; and if he will make a statement. [226758]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the effect on claimants of mortgage interest payments if the standard interest rate is reduced and lenders do not reduce interest rates on mortgages by an equivalent amount. [237949]
Kitty Ussher: Help is provided towards the interest on mortgages as part of Income Support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, state pension credit and income-related employment and support allowance.
The amount of help is calculated using a standard interest rate which is applied to the first £100,000 of the mortgage. These payments are not designed to cover all of a person's mortgage liabilities, such as capital repayments, arrears or insurance premiums.
Normally working age customers have to wait 39 weeks before help towards their mortgage interest can be paid.
We have now announced that from January 2009, the standard interest rate will be applied to the first £200,000 of the mortgage for new working age claims, and that the waiting period for new claims will be reduced to 13 weeks.
Further, we shall freeze the standard interest rate we use as the basis of the calculation for support for mortgage interest payments at 6.08 per cent. from December and review this after six months. Without such intervention the reduction in the Bank of England base rate by 1.5 per cent. would trigger an automatic reduction in the standard interest rate, to 4.58 per cent. This change will help those borrowers with a fixed mortgage rate —over 50 per cent. of all those with a mortgage—whose average rates remain at 5.74 per cent.
Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which countries in which UK nationals reside do not have reciprocal social security agreements with the UK; and how many UK nationals are resident in each such country. [235307]
Mr. McNulty: The UK only has reciprocal social security agreements covering the following countries and territories: Austria; Barbados; Belgium; Bermuda; Bosnia-Herzegovina; Canada; Croatia; Cyprus; Denmark; Finland; France; Germany; Gibraltar; Guernsey; Iceland; Ireland; Isle of Man; Israel; Italy; Jamaica; Jersey; Kosovo; Luxembourg; Malta; Mauritius; Montenegro; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; the Philippines; Portugal; Serbia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; the USA and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Information on the numbers of UK nationals living abroad, either in a country listed above or elsewhere in the world, is not available in the format requested.
Notes
1. Guernsey includes Alderney, Herm and Jethou.
2. The agreement with the United States of America covers also American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of travel warrants issued to his Department's customers was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will estimate the savings which would have accrued to the public purse if all such travel warrants had been issued early enough to benefit from lower fares available in advance. [235595]
Jonathan Shaw [holding answer 13 November 2008]: The information requested is not available.
The main use of travel warrants by DWP is through the Travel to Interview Scheme (TIS). This scheme is administered by Jobcentre Plus for customers attending a job interview and covers travel by both public and private transport. In 2007-08, total expenditure on TIS was £2.2 million (we do not record travel warrant costs separately).
Estimates of savings arising from issuing earlier travel warrants are not available and the costs of obtaining this information would be disproportionate.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for the state pension took more than 60 days to process in each of the last 10 years. [226156]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Currently, 87 per cent. of people claim their state pension by phone, prompted by a letter from PDCS some weeks ahead of their retirement date. 55 per cent. of telephone claims are handled in ‘one touch’—that is, the award of state pension is made during the initial phone call. The remaining cases take longer as further inquiries are made; or, in the period immediately following a change of tax year, while national insurance contribution records are updated by HMRC. This affects achievement of the clearance target.
Since October 2008, customers can claim four benefits in one free phone call: state pension, pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit. In some circumstances, we will also arrange face to face visits to help people with making their claims.
State pension data are only available from 2004 and not for the whole of the previous 10 years, as requested.
| State pension clearance times | |||||
| 2004-2005 | 2005-2006 | 2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | ( 1) 2008-09 | |
| (1) Year to date (September) Source: Pensions Service Legacy System | |||||
Mr. Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect of rules on state pension entitlement on people who stay at home to care for (a) children and (b) elderly relatives; and if he will make a statement. [238082]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Since the introduction of home responsibilities protection in 1978 over 1.7 million women have had their basic state pension boosted because they had cared for children or severely disabled persons. Carers have also had access to state second pension from 2002, with 1.9 million carers building entitlement in 2005-06.
However, home responsibilities protection has not been widely understood and cannot benefit those women who have spent their entire lives caring. We therefore brought forward new measures in the Pensions Act 2007 to change home responsibilities protection into a simple national insurance credit for those reaching state pension age from 6 April 2010. They will allow, in certain circumstances, parents and carers to build up entitlement to basic state pension even where they have never had paid employment. As a result of these reforms, along with other measures such as a reduction in the number of qualifying years required to receive a full basic state pension from 39 to 30 for women (44 to 30 for men), the proportion of women reaching state pension age in 2010 with a full basic pension will rise from around 50 per cent. to 75 per cent., increasing to over 90 per cent. by 2025.
The state second pension already provides a more generous additional state pension for carers and other vulnerable groups than they would have received under SERPS. As a result of our pension reforms, we expect around 1 million more people will accrue state second pension from 2010. Those caring for children up to the age of 12, foster carers and people who spend at least 20 hours a week caring for one or more severely disabled persons will be able to build up entitlement. Approximately 90 per cent. of these will be women.
Mr. Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in each constituency in the East Midlands received the retirement age addition for persons aged 80 years or over in the latest period for which figures are available. [238079]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The information requested is in the following table.
| Parliamentary constituencies | State pension age addition recipients |
| Notes: 1. Case loads are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. The boundaries of parliamentary constituencies do not correspond exactly to Government office regions (GORs). 3. September 2007 is the latest available data. Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate, 5 per cent. sample, rated to case load in Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study. | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2037W—continued
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on (a) commissioning and (b) funding the production of television programmes in the last year; what programmes these were; and which companies made them. [239597]
Jonathan Shaw: DWP has not to the best of my knowledge and based on our available records ever used taxpayer's money to commission or fund the production of TV programmes, and currently has no plans to do so.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to increase staff numbers in Jobcentres to cope with increased unemployment. [230631]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus. I have asked the acting chief executive to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the staffing levels at Jobcentre Plus are sufficient during the economic downturn. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The funding for a staffing assumption in Jobcentre Plus for March 2009 has been increased by an additional 2,200 full time equivalents from 65,453 to 67,653 in recognition of the anticipated workloads in the operational year.
We intend to increase staffing from our current position of 66,733 by recruiting additional staff and have set in hand a fast track recruitment process to enable us to achieve this as quickly as possible.
Our staffing levels will be kept under active review in order to respond to rising economic challenges.
I hope this is helpful.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce levels of unemployment. [238387]
Mr. McNulty: The Government are doing all it can to support people who become unemployed back into work as quickly as possible. The strong foundations of our economy and labour market put us in the best possible position to get through the economic downturn. Not only is the economy better placed than in the past, but through Jobcentre Plus and the new deal we offer more support to individuals to help them move back into work
To ensure that it is well placed to deal with an increase in unemployment, in the current financial year Jobcentre Plus is retaining staffing at the level used to prepare for the introduction of the employment and support allowance. This level of staffing, which is over 2,000 more than originally planned, will be kept under review.
For those affected by redundancy, we are doubling the resources available to the rapid response teams who offer advice and support to those affected by redundancy. This can include information about sources of alternative jobs within the labour market or help with applying for existing vacancies; on-site job shops and fairs; helping people draw-up CVs or brush-up their jobsearch skills; and, where appropriate, job-focused training to help individuals develop skills needed within the local labour market or other support to overcome barriers to taking up a specific job offer, such as travel to work expenses.
Jobcentre Plus is also launching a “Find your way back to work” campaign to help the newly unemployed; simplifying and streamlining its processes, for example by rolling out a new approach so that people can claim their benefits, tax credits and housing benefits at Jobcentre Plus in one visit; making its services more accessible to parents, for example by piloting from January a programme that will put a full-time Jobcentre Plus adviser in 30 children’s centres across ten local authorities; helping people with mortgages by bringing forward financial support from 39 to 13 weeks and increasing the capital amount on which support can be claimed to £200,000; and through Local Employment Partnerships, is working with employers across the country to help them meet their recruitment needs locally.
There are still many new job opportunities coming up all the time. Jobcentre Plus alone takes 10,000 new vacancies every working day, and many more come up
through other recruitment channels. Together with the advice and support provided through Jobcentre Plus, this means that most of those who become unemployed can find another job quickly: over half of new claimants leave jobseeker’s allowance within three months and around three quarters leave within six months.
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people had their benefit reduced as a consequence of not taking a reasonable job offer in each of the last 10 years. [226168]
| Number of varied length Jobseekers Allowance referrals, sanctioned for refusal of employment—1 April 2000 to 31 March 2008 | |
| Sanctions | |
| Notes: 1. Definitions and conventions: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Data prior to April 2000 is not available. Source: DWP Information Directorate: Jobseekers Allowance Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database. | |
During the period in question, the decline in decisions to apply sanctions to those who have either not done enough to find work or who are unreasonably restricting their availability for work.
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many work-focused interviews in a year a claimant must attend in any one year in order to retain a benefit, broken down by the benefit claimed. [238272]
Mr. McNulty: Currently, mandatory attendance at a work focused interview (WFI) varies depending on an individual’s characteristics and the type of benefit being claimed.
Lone parents receiving income support attend a mandatory WFI at the point of claim and then six monthly thereafter. In the year before they lose eligibility to income support based upon the age of the youngest child, the WFIs take place every three months to prepare them to move into work or transition onto another benefit.
Individuals receiving an incapacity benefit have the first WFI as soon as possible after week eight of the claim and then five more at monthly intervals. After the initial series of WFIs, claimants may have to attend further interviews when a “life event” occurs, for example a repeat medical assessment. They will also have to attend an interview if they have not had one for 36 months.
Those receiving employment and support allowance, have the first WFI as soon as possible after week eight of the claim, the second at week 14, with four more usually at monthly intervals. After the initial series of WFIs, claimants may have to attend further interviews when a life event occurs, for example a repeat medical assessment. They will also have to attend an interview if they have not had one for 36 months.
Partners of benefit recipients where the main claimant receives income support, severe disablement allowance, incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance remain subject to a single WFI after six months of claiming. However, from April 2008 the frequency of mandatory WFIs for partners of jobseeker's allowance claimants who have children changed; these customers now have to attend a WFI every six months.
Those receiving jobseeker's allowance will have a WFI as part of the New Jobseeker interview at the start of the claim and all claimants will also receive a 13 week and a six monthly interview. Those aged 18-24 are required to enter New Deal for Young People after six months on benefit. However, if the claimant is aged 25 and over they will be required to attend a WFI at 12 and 18 months before they are required to enter New Deal 25 Plus.
Some other groups claiming income support, such as carers, are required to attend a WFI every three years.
Jobseeker's allowance customers are also required to attend fortnightly jobsearch reviews, during which they are asked what steps they have taken to find work during the last two weeks. Weekly signing applies for the six week period following the WFI at the 13 weeks stage.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employees have been offered early access under Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service to (a) work-based learning for adults, (b) programme centres and (c) rapid response service focused training (i) 12 weeks before the date of redundancy, (ii) between 12 weeks before the date of redundancy and the date of redundancy and (iii) between the date of redundancy and 12 weeks after that date. [238217]
Mr. McNulty: The information is not available.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many on-site advice surgeries Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service has carried out in each region in each year since it was established. [238218]
Mr. McNulty: The information requested is not available.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of bids for services from the rapid response service were (a) accepted and (b) rejected because of (i) lack of funding and (ii) the employer and employees not meeting the conditions in each region in each year since the service was established; and if he will make a statement. [238219]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many and what proportion of bids for services from the rapid response service were (a) accepted and (b) rejected because of (i) lack of funding and (ii) the employer and employees not meeting the conditions in each region in each year since the service was established; and if he will make a statement. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Since April 2002 over 700 bids have been made for Rapid Response Services and all have been accepted.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps (a) Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service and (b) Jobcentre Plus staff take to identify companies with employees that may have benefited from the rapid response service. [238220]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what steps (a) Jobcentre Plus's Rapid Response Service and (b) Jobcentre Plus staff take to identify companies with employees that may have benefited from the Rapid Response Service. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus contacts and offers support to every employer who meets the statutory requirement to notify the Insolvency Service when making 20 people or more redundant. Since the announcement made by DWP on 12 November 2008, on the expansion of our Rapid Response Service, Jobcentre Plus also makes every effort to identify companies making fewer than 20 people redundant. Where identified these employers are also contacted and offered support wherever there is likely to be a significant impact on the particular local community.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent on advertising the services offered by Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service to employers in each year since it was established. [238221]
Mr. McNulty: The answer to this question has been incorporated in the answer to PQ/08/238224, as both questions relate to the communication of the Rapid Response Service to employers.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how much Jobcentre Plus’s rapid response service has cost in each year since it was established; [238222]
(2) how many full-time equivalent staff were working in Jobcentre Plus’s rapid response service in each region in each year since it was established. [238223]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking:
how much Jobcentre Plus’s Rapid Response Service has cost in each year since it was established, and;
how many full-time equivalent staff were working in JobCentre Plus’s Rapid Response Service in each region in each year since it was established.
This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
The table below provides a breakdown of the amount spent from the Rapid Response Service fund in each year since 2002-03. These figures reflect the expenditure required in each year to deliver effective support for redundancies. All requests for Rapid Response Service funding were met.
| Rapid Response Service Fund | |
| Amount spent from Rapid Response Service Fund (£000) | |
The Rapid Response Service brings together a number of functions that already exist within Jobcentre Plus, and the work required to deliver a Rapid Response Service is carried out by people who already carry out those functions. It is therefore not possible to separately identify the number of staff working on the Rapid Response Service. The demand for the Rapid Response Service varies to meet demand and, consequently, so too does the staffing used to deliver it.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by what means his Department has informed employers of the existence of Jobcentre Plus's rapid response service since it was established. [238224]
Mr. McNulty: The Rapid Response Service was introduced in April 2002 and has been delivered through Jobcentre Plus in conjunction with a range of partners such as Regional Development Agencies and local authorities and skills agencies in England, Scotland and Wales to help employees facing redundancies.
There are three main ways that the service is communicated to employers:
1. Under current legislative processes, all employers making redundancies of 20 or more employees must contact the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR). Details of these companies are passed to Jobcentre Plus who then discuss their circumstances and the type of support that then need.
2. In addition, we provide information through channels that employers use regularly including: the Jobcentre Plus website
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/employers;
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2042W—continued
the websites of organisations who help to deliver the Rapid Response Service to employers; and through a range of leaflets and business/trade media.
3. There are a number of employers that receive an account management service from Jobcentre Plus in return for their agreement to help our individual customers to find work. If these employers are facing difficulties, they will discuss their needs directly with Jobcentre Plus and appropriate levels of support will be offered.
It is not possible to separate out the cost of promoting the service given the routes that we use.
Mr. Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what employment training is provided for the visually impaired in Enfield Southgate constituency; and what proportion of those who have undergone such training in each of the last five years are now in paid employment. [234579]
Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what employment training is provided for the visually impaired in the Enfield Southgate constituency and what proportion of those who have undergone such training in each of the last five years are now in paid employment. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
There are a number of organisations that offer a service for customers in your constituency with visual impairment. Most notably these include Hereford College for the Blind and Middlesex Association for the Blind. These services are accessed by a direct referral from Disability Employment Advisers who are based in each of the Jobcentre Plus offices that serve your constituents.
Our partner, Reed in Partnership, also offers voluntary and mandatory programmes aimed at helping people with disabilities back into work. These programmes are specific to an individual's needs and an Adviser from the Jobcentre can refer customers to them.
The Royal National Institute for the Blind offers work preparation, for example help with interview techniques, job applications and CV completion, and also specialist IT training. An Adviser from the Jobcentre can arrange these services.
Disability Employment Advisers can also recommend one-off provision based around an individual's needs if this is not catered for by an existing provision.
We do not have any information about what proportion of those people who have undergone such training in each of the last five years are now in paid employment.
Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have received Government funded employment training in (a) South Yorkshire, (b) Rotherham and (c) Barnsley over the last five years. [231315]
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of (a) cold weather payments made and (b) the number of recipients of cold weather payments in each of the last five years, broken down by the area covered by each relevant weather station. [226182]
Kitty Ussher: Information is not available on the numbers of cold weather payments received, or the number of recipients.
The available information for payments is in the following table.
| Cold Weather Payments for Great Britain for 2003-04 to 2007-08 | |
| Weather station | Estimated payments |
| Notes: 1. Figures are for Cold Weather Payments triggered in the relevant financial year. 2. Some people were made more than one payment in some years. 3. Estimated numbers of payments have been rounded to the nearest 100. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 4. Each year, there are usually some small changes to the weather stations used for the cold weather payments scheme. (For example, the Boltshope Park weather station closed after the winter of 2006-07 and the postcodes linked to it were allocated to Albemarle and Bingley and to a new weather station Redesdale.) Sources: Estimated numbers of payments are based on: Scans of benefit computer systems taken at the end of October each year giving the number of potential qualifiers for cold weather payments by weather station; DWP records of triggers; DWP records of the total number of payments actually made by benefit computer system. | |
Chris Grayling:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times the temperature dropped below the threshold at which cold weather
payments are made in each of the last 10 years, broken down by relevant weather station. [226183]
Kitty Ussher: The available information has been placed in the Library.
Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the winter fuel allowance was worth as a percentage of (a) average household fuel bills and (b) average pensioner household fuel bills in each of the last 10 years for which information is available, broken down by constituency. [237715]
Ms Rosie Winterton [holding answer 20 November 2008]: The following tables show the winter fuel payment as a percentage of average winter fuel bills for all households, by region, information is not available at constituency level. Information relating to pensioner household expenditure on fuel broken down by region or constituency is not available.
| Year and rate of winter fuel payment (WFP) | ||||||
| 1997-98 (£20) | 1998-99 (£20) | 1999-2000 (£100) | 2000-01 (£200) | 2001-02 (£200) | 2002-03 (£200) | |
| Region | WFP as a percentage of average winter fuel bill for all households | |||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2046W—continued
| Year and rate of winter fuel payment (WFP) | ||||||||
| 2003-04 (£200) | 2003-04 (£300) | 2004-05 (£200) | 2004-05 (£300) | 2005-06 (£200) | 2005-06 (£300) | 2006-07 (£200) | 2006-07 (£300) | |
| Region | WFP as a percentage of average winter fuel bill for all households | |||||||
| Notes: 1. From winter 2003-04 the winter fuel payment increased to £300 for people aged 80 or over. 2. The percentage figures in the tables are based on an average of all households expenditure on fuel, by region. 3. Note that family spending was produced from 2006 as an annual year report therefore the 2006-07 percentages in the tables do not take account of data for January to March 2007. 2006 data are the latest available. Source: Family Spending Surveys 2002-03 to 2006. | ||||||||
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much he expects to pay to pensioner households in Crosby constituency in winter fuel payments in 2008-09. [236687]
Ms Rosie Winterton: Expenditure in 2006-07 on winter fuel payments in Crosby constituency in 2006-07 was £2.9 million. Figures for winter 2007-08 are not yet available. Forecasts of benefit expenditure are not produced at parliamentary constituency level.
Notes:
1. Expenditure figures have been rounded to the nearest £100,000.
2. Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
Please note that a small number of these households receive amounts higher than the usual rate for their age group, where the household includes more than two individuals each entitled to payments at half of the usual household rate.
Source:
Information directorate 100 per cent. data
Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to question (a) 220310, on benefits, tabled on 16 July and (b) 220179, on staff, tabled on 15 July. [226927]
Mr. McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 19 November 2008, Official Report, column 551W, for (a) 220310 and on 23 October 2008, Official Report, column 472W, for (b) 220179.
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to answer Question 230115, tabled by the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire on 27 October 2008, on payment of maintenance owed to the Child Support Agency. [236060]
Kitty Ussher: I replied to the hon. Member's question on 25 November 2008.
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to answer question 230140, tabled by the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire on 27 October 2008, on funding for the Child Support Agency and Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. [236061]
Kitty Ussher: I replied to the hon. Member's question on 25 November 2008.
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to answer Question 230141, tabled by the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire on 27 October 2008, on child maintenance initiatives. [236062]
Kitty Ussher [holding answer 17 November 2008]: I replied to the hon. Member's question on 25 November 2008.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data collection his Department routinely makes in respect of alcohol-related admissions to (a) accident and emergency and (b) acute wards. [236543]
Dawn Primarolo: Data on admissions to, and the care provided by national health service (NHS) hospitals, along with data on NHS hospital patients treated elsewhere, is routinely collected by the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database. HES data records the diagnosis codes associated with each admission, and has three main diagnosis codes relating to alcohol:
Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol (F10);
Alcoholic liver disease (K70); and
Toxic effect of alcohol (T51).
This data is then analysed by the NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care.
The North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO) has developed a new methodology for analysing data concerning alcohol related hospital admissions. Following international best practice, the NWPHO methodology uses Alcohol Attributable Fractions (AAFs). These AAFs consider a much wider range of diseases and injuries in which alcohol plays a part and estimate the proportion of cases that can be attributed to the consumption of alcohol. These figures are currently being finalised and will be made available in due course.
It is important to note that (i) HES data is collected at national health service trust and not at ward level and (ii) individuals are not admitted to accident and emergency, they may be admitted to hospital via accident and emergency. Data are not available centrally from which alcohol-related attendances in accident and emergency departments can be identified.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on specialist treatment services for alcohol misuse and addiction in each of the last 10 years. [232143]
Dawn Primarolo: Data on expenditure on specialist alcohol treatment services are not collected centrally.
The Department commissioned the Alcohol Needs Assessment Research Project (ANARP),in 2005, to assess alcohol treatment needs and provision in England. ANARP estimated expenditure of £217 million (2004-5 prices), or £235 million (2006-7 prices, inflated using the HCHS index) for spend on specialist alcohol treatment services. A copy of the publication has been placed in the Library.
The authors set out a number of reasons why this figure may be an overestimate, including a lack of data on the funding split between alcohol and drug treatment for agencies that offer both, an assumption that all those who accessed specialist alcohol treatment received an intervention, and an assumption of no drop-out before treatment completion.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what modelling his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned on future levels of disease resulting from current levels of alcohol consumption. [237159]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department published an estimate of the burden on alcohol-related disease to the national health service on 22 July, “The cost of alcohol harm to the NHS in England: An update to the Cabinet Office (2003) study”. A copy has already been placed in the Library and is also available at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Closedconsultations/DH_086412
This updated the estimates published by the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit in 2004 and will be kept under review.
As a part of its contribution to the Home Office Public Service Agreement to reduce drug and alcohol harm the Department has commissioned modelling on the likely changes in the rate of hospital admissions by March 2011. This will be available in March 2009 and will be used for internal delivery planning and reporting purposes.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on including alcohol screening and brief advice within the Quality and Outcomes Framework. [237254]
Mr. Bradshaw: We have received no representations on including alcohol screening and brief advice within the Quality and Outcomes Framework.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which primary care trust spending on services to reduce alcohol harm correlates with the extent of alcohol problems on the local population. [237849]
Dawn Primarolo: Data on national health service spend on alcohol interventions is not collected, however primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for ensuring that the health priorities and needs of their local populations are met and are adequately funded.
How much PCTs choose to spend on prevention interventions and specialist alcohol treatment services is their responsibility to decide in line with their locally identified needs and priorities.
To assist PCTs, and other local health care and social care organisations, to understand and address the impact that higher-risk drinking is having on the health of their local population, the Department has commissioned the North West Public Health Observatory to produce Local Alcohol Profiles.
Local Alcohol Profiles bring together evidence that indicates the impact of alcohol on each local authority and PCT area in England, using 23 different indicators relating to individual, community and population implications of alcohol use and their effects on health and well-being.
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2008, Official Report, columns 1371-72W, on antibiotics, how much was spent by hospitals in each region on antibiotics in each year since 1997-98 for which figures are available. [238742]
Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of hospital spend on antibiotics from 2001-02 (the earliest year for which figures are available), by net ingredient cost (NIC), by each strategic health authority (SHA) in England and their predecessor bodies, are shown in the following table.
| Estimated hospital spend on antibiotics in England 2001-02 to 2007-08 (NIC) | |||||||
| £000 | |||||||
| SHA | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Notes: 1. Figures are based on the current SHA structure introduced in July 2006. Figures for before then are aggregated from SHA predecessor bodies. 2. The net ingredient cost (NIC) is the cost of the drug at NHS list price. IMS Health data are classified according to a version of the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system used by the World Health Organisation. Data have been provided for antibiotic products in the ATC categories below, as these correspond most closely to British National Formulary (BNF) section 5.1 (Antibacterial drugs). J01 antibacterials for systemic use J03 systemic sulphonamides J04 antimycobacterials J08 other anti-infectives. There will be some antibiotic products, such as topical creams and eye drops, which are not included in BNF 5.1. Source: IMS Health: Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index. | |||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2050W—continued
Data on prescriptions that are written in hospital and dispensed in the community are only held at national level by the Information Centre for health and social care from 2006-07 onwards. The national spend on prescriptions written in hospitals and dispensed in the community for products in British National Formulary
section 5.1 (Antibacterial drugs) was £3.2 million (NIC) in 2006-07 and £3.4 million in 2007-08.
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index, (1) how many issues of antibiotics each hospital trust in England made in 2007-08; [238903]
(2) how many issues of antibiotics hospitals in each region of England made in each year since 1997-98 for which figures are available. [238904]
Dawn Primarolo: The Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index data held by the Information Centre for health and social care does not include information on the number of separate issues of antibiotics by individual hospital pharmacies. The unit of measurement is packs. As pack sizes vary, even for the same product, and packs may comprise tablets, vials (of varying pack sizes) or other formulations, a single total for packs would not be meaningful.
Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of patients in England and Wales who were treated for abdominal aortic aneurysms by (a) open surgical repair and (b) endovascular repair in each of the last five years. [238491]
Ann Keen: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for West Suffolk (Mr. Spring) on 3 April 2008, Official Report, columns 1283-84W.
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the merits of (a) endovascular repair and (b) open surgical repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms in terms of (i) peri-operative mortality, (ii) time in intensive care, (iii) time in hospital overall and (iv) speed of return to normal activity; [239355]
(2) what criteria are taken into account when assessing the fitness of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients for open surgical repair; and if he will make a statement. [239356]
Ann Keen: It is a matter for a vascular surgeon to assess each patient individually, taking into account risk factors such as age, aneurysm size, and general medical condition.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is preparing guidance on the use of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health at which level of the NHS a decision on whether to screen men in the West Sussex Primary Care Trust area for abdominal aortic aneurysms will be made. [239357]
Ann Keen: The implementation of a national abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme for men aged 65 is currently under way. Six early implementation sites have been announced.
One of these sites will be in West Sussex, based at the Royal West Sussex NHS Trust. Strategic health authority screening leads were asked to take a lead overview role, in developing plans which demonstrated how potential screening sites met the criteria required to be considered as an early implementation site. The final decision to include West Sussex was made by the Department’s Vascular Programme Board.
Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much central Government funding has been allocated to the introduction of the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme; [238489]
(2) what estimate his Department has made of the total cost of the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme to (a) the NHS and (b) primary care trusts; and if he will make a statement. [238490]
Ann Keen: £3 million has been allocated from central departmental budgets for the implementation of the abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme in 2008-09.
Estimates of future costs were included in the impact assessment of a national screening programme for abdominal aortic aneurysm. A copy has been placed in the Library and is available at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsLegislation/DH_086050
A summary of (undiscounted) costs for the first five years is shown in the following table (page 14 of the impact assessment).
| Summary costs, not discounted | |||
| £ million | |||
| Screen at 65 | |||
| Phased | Immediate | Maximum | |
More detailed cost estimates can be found in annex 4 of the published impact assessment.
The total annual cost of the programme to the national health service is estimated to build up to approximately £38 million by the fifth year of the phased implementation, and then to average approximately £28 million per year over the following 15 years. Estimates by primary care trust are not available.
Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 302W, on the British National Formulary, how many copies of the “British National Formulary” have been issued to NHS (a) hospital doctors and (b) GPs by his Department. [237590]
Dawn Primarolo:
The Department purchased 215,000 copies of the September 2008 edition of the “British National Formulary” and 160,000 copies of the 2008
edition of the “British National Formulary for Children”, for distribution to doctors and other health professionals in England.
Information on the numbers distributed specifically to hospital doctors and general practitioners is not available.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the average time from diagnosis to treatment for patients diagnosed with cancer in each London borough in (a) 2005, (b) 2006 and (c) 2007, broken down by cancer type. [238833]
Ann Keen: Statistics on average waiting times for cancer patients and average waiting times for different types of cancer treatment are not collected centrally. Cancer waiting times standards of a maximum wait of 31 days from diagnosis to first cancer treatment and a maximum wait of 62 days from urgent referral for suspected cancer to first cancer treatment were introduced for all cancer patients from December 2005. The following table shows performance against these standards in England at quarter one (Q1) in 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08.
| Performance against cancer waiting times standards in England | ||
| 31 day standard—percentage compliance | 62 day standard—percentage compliance | |
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many revascularisation procedures for peripheral vascular disease took place in the national health service in each of the last five years, broken down by strategic health authority. [238564]
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the timetable is for implementing the Caring with Confidence programme; how much funding has been allocated to it; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure that local organisations are able to access the programme; [237921]
(2) what plans he has to include consideration of the needs of carers in the implementation of the recommendations of the NHS Next Stage Review conducted by Lord Darzi; [237934]
(3) what requirements his Department has placed on primary care trusts to plan for the commissioning of breaks for carers with carers and other agencies; [237951]
(4) what the timetable is for announcing primary care trust allocations regarding funding breaks for carers and the amounts to be allocated. [237952]
Phil Hope: The contract for the Caring with Confidence (CwC) programme commenced on 1 January 2008.
The first face-to-face training for carers took place in August 2008. A distance learning version is presently being piloted and will go live in early 2009. Full capacity of CwC provision will be achieved during the first part of 2009. The Department is making up to £4.6 million per year available to fund CwC.
The delivery of CwC will be through existing local providers of services—whether from the third or statutory sectors. Local providers have been invited to become part of this delivery process, through a nationally advertised tendering process; from this work, CwC will put in place a national network of local providers.
Delivery of the recommendations of the NHS Next Stage Review is led at strategic health authority and local level. However, key stakeholders including carers organisations continue to be involved.
The Carers’ Strategy said that primary care trusts (PCTs) must publish joint plans with their local authority (LA) partners (following a consultation with carers and the third sector) setting out how they are going to spend new money for carers breaks together with the money the LA already receives through the annual carers grant. In addition, we are including a line in the NHS Operating Framework that will remind national health service staff of their responsibilities to publish joint plans and work collaboratively with LAs to support carers in a personalised way.
£150 million will be included in PCTs’ allocations over the next two years. £50 million will be provided in 2009-10 and £100 million in 2010-11. This money will support all carers. We are considering what form further guidance to support PCTs and LAs might take.
In addition, the carers grant will continue giving councils £720 million over the next three years (2008-11). This will enable them to support carers with breaks and other services. As part of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment process, PCTs and LAs are working in partnership to publish joint plans. These should include plans for the provision of breaks.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruits to be served by his Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers. [239724]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Department does not collect information about the Christmas functions hosted or attended by officials in the Department and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.
The Government will shortly be publishing a report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by government departments and also supplied to hospitals and prisons under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain and National Offender Management Service (previously HM Prison Service) between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008.
This report will be available on the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative web site at:
www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/awareness.htm.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to improve its arrangements for co-ordination with other Government departments of policy affecting coastal towns in the last two years. [238649]
Phil Hope: The Department for Communities and Local Government established a cross-departmental working group on coastal towns, in February 2008. The Department of Health is represented on this group.
The working group is providing a forum for improving cross-government understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing coastal towns, including the impact of existing policy approaches and mechanisms in improving regeneration and economic development outcomes.
The Department is also contributing to the work of the Regional Development Agency (RDA)-led Coastal Towns Network, involving central and local government, national and coastal town networks and the RDAs.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many primary care trusts have fully complied with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence appraisal TA97 since its publication; and if he will make a statement; [237031]
(2) what estimate the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has made of the effect on the cost of the NHS of fully implementing its guidance TA97 on computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of depression and anxiety. [237179]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not hold this information centrally.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many places for BSc courses in specialist community nursing programmes have been funded through strategic health authorities in 2008-09; and how many applications for places on such courses there were in that year. [238409]
Ann Keen: The following table provides details of the planned number of training places to be commissioned for community nursing training in the financial year 2008-09. Data on the number of applications to these courses is not held centrally by the Department.
| Community nursing | Planned commissions |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2055W—continued
Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many emergency contraceptive pills were issued without prescription at pharmacies and chemists between 2001 and 2007, broken down by calendar month; [239216]
(2) how many prescriptions for emergency contraceptive pills were issued by (a) NHS walk-in centres and (b) NHS minor injury units between 2001 and 2007, broken down by (i) year and (ii) calendar month; [239217]
(3) how many prescriptions for emergency contraceptive pills were issued by genitourinary medicine clinics in each (a) year and (b) calendar month since 2001. [239219]
Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not collected centrally.
Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many prescriptions for emergency contraceptive pills were issued by general practitioners to women aged (a) under 14, (b) between 15 and 16, (c) between 17 and 24, (d) between 25 and 30, (e) between 31 and 40, (f) between 41 and 50 and (g) 51 years and over in each year since 2001, broken down by calendar month; [239218]
(2) how many prescriptions for emergency contraceptive pills were issued by general practitioners in each (a) year and (b) calendar month since 2001. [239220]
Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the following table. Information is not held by age.
| Emergency contraceptive prescription items written by general practitioners (GPs), 2003-08 | ||||||
| Items | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Source: ePACT data This information was obtained from the Prescribing Analysis and Cost tool (PACT) system, which covers prescriptions prescribed by GPs, nurses, pharmacists and others in England and dispensed in the community in the United Kingdom. ePACT only holds the most recent 60 months data. | ||||||
Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the national dementia strategy will be published; [239984]
(2) what assessment he has made of the role of admiral nurses in the management of dementia. [239985]
Phil Hope: We aim to publish a National Dementia Strategy for England by the end of this year.
The Department is aware of the role of admiral nurses in the care of people with dementia. We have made no specific evaluation of their role in the management of dementia. However, the evidence base on the management of dementia has been summarised well in the joint National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence/Social Care Institute for Excellence clinical guideline on dementia. The National Dementia Strategy will also set out our vision for the management and support of people with dementia and their carers.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence was in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [238929]
Mr. Bradshaw: Information on average working days lost (AWDL) per member of staff due to sickness absence in the Department of Health and its agencies is presented in the following table:
| Coverage | AWDL | |
The change in the figures from calendar years to financial year between 2005 and 2006-07 reflects a change in the annual period covered by the reports. The change between 2004 and 2005 from the Department and its agencies together to the Department and its agencies separately reflects a change in the level of aggregation of information in reporting.
The Department does not report on the rates of other types of absence or set formal targets for rates of absence.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether food and drink on sale to staff of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds. [237418]
Mr. Bradshaw: Sales of food and drink at official premises are not subsidised for the Department or NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. Funding of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency staff restaurant is subsidised of the amount of £72,000 per year. This figure is not directly attributed to food and drink and includes the running costs of the restaurant.
Mr. Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of committees established by his Department on which appointed persons are remunerated. [237865]
Mr. Bradshaw: The following committees established within the Department’s governance structure includes appointed non-Executive Members who are remunerated: the Departmental Board, Department of Health’s Audit Committee and the Performance Committee.
The Department publishes details of its public bodies on an annual basis. A copy of the latest version of Public Bodies 2007 has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the Appointments Commission website at:
www.appointments.org.uk/publications.asp
Mr. Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a list of external appointments made in the last three years to committees established by his Department on which positions are remunerated. [237866]
Mr. Bradshaw: The following remunerated external appointments were made on the Department’s committees established in the last three years with its governance structure:
Mike Wheeler (Departmental Board, Audit Committee and Performance Committee);
Julie Baddeley (Departmental Board);
Derek Myers (Departmental Board and Department of Health Audit Committee); and
Jane Ramsay and Tony Allen (Department of Health Audit Committee).
The Department publishes details of its public bodies on an annual basis. A copy of the latest version, Public Bodies 2007, has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the Appointments Commission website at:
http://www.appointments.org.uk/publications.asp
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 July 2008, Official Report, column 859W, on departmental consultants, what progress has been made on the implementation of his Department's new business management system; what the budget for running this system is in 2008-09; and when it will be able to provide data on his Department's expenditure on consultancy fees. [229834]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Business Management System (BMS) was successfully deployed for use by the Department's staff on 1 July 2008. The cost incurred in the delivery of the BMS was £10,784,829 and the projected running cost for providing information technology (IT) support for the system over the period 1 July to 31 December 2008 is £537,661. The running costs for 2009 and beyond will not be available until the Department has concluded a series of negotiations with suppliers relating to the potential outsourcing of the BMS IT support service.
The Department will be able to provide a full year's data on consultancy spend from the BMS after July 2009.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2059W—continued
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has written off in bad debts in each of the last five financial years; and what the reason for each write off was. [238893]
Mr. Bradshaw: The following amounts have been written off as bad debts.
| Period | £ |
The reasons for the write offs were:
29 minor claims were abandoned on value for money grounds.
41 minor claims were abandoned on value for money grounds.
Over 320 organisations participated in the NHS Live events and were invoiced for their contributions. Twenty-four cases valuing £27,876.25 were successfully challenged by the organisations and the outstanding amount was written off by the Department.
The value of capital charges made to individuals around the country that became uncollectible as a result of doubt over the validity of the charges was £9,561.56 . These invoices were subsequently found to have been raised in error.
The value of service charges made to health centres around the country which became uncollectible as a result of re-organisations and doubt over the validity of the charges were £70,678.36.
19 minor claims were abandoned on value for money grounds amounting to £9,501.90
29 minor claims were abandoned on value for money grounds.
Three minor claims were abandoned on value for money grounds.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department and its agencies have spent on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years. [237430]
Mr. Bradshaw: Not all of the information requested over the last three years is held centrally. Information that is available centrally is as follows:
| £ | |||
| Flat screen televisions | DVD players | Stereo equipment | |
| (1) Not known. | |||
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's workforce planning assumptions used to inform the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review. [238894]
Mr. Bradshaw: We do not publish planning assumptions relating to the comprehensive spending review.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year. [239078]
| Number of press officers, 1997-98 to 2007-08 | |
| Number of staff | |
| Costs for Department of Health media centre staff, 1997-98 to 2006-07 | |
| Cost (£ million) | |
| Note: Figures exclude social security and pension costs. | |
In regard to the number of special advisers I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mr. Walker) on 22 February 2008, Official Report, column 1068W.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08. [237474]
Mr. Bradshaw: At the beginning of the 2007-08 budget year the branding team consisted of four members of staff. By the end of the year, following a restructure, the team had reduced to three.
The cost of employing branding staff during this period was £148,293.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 79W, on departmental NDPBs, (1) for what reasons Independent Reconfiguration Panel expenditure is not separately identified within departmental costs; [235295]
(2) if he will (a) calculate and (b) publish the cost to the public purse of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel. [235888]
Mr. Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 79W, Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) expenditure is not separately identified within departmental costs.
The Department does not set an annual budget with the IRP.
Since its inception in 2003, IRP expenditure has been authorised by the Department for annual costs to reflect expenditure reasonably incurred to address ad hoc and irregular requests from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health to the panel for authoritative advice on contested service changes, referred to him by local Overview and Scrutiny Committees in line with the panel’s terms of reference.
Expenditure on IRP functions has not to date been separately identified and reported on from other departmental costs.
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget was allocated for the work of (a) the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards, (b) the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens and (c) the Health Protection Agency in each of the last five years. [238896]
Dawn Primarolo: The budget allocation for the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards (ACEA) is as follows:
| Costs | Comments | |
There is no central budget for the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens. Members of the committee receive travel and subsistence expenses for meetings they attend and the costs are shared between the three sponsoring departments: Health and Safety Executive, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Department of Health.
The total revenue Government grant in aid to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) for each of the last five years ending 31 March 2008 was as follows:
| £ | |
| (1) From 1 April 2005 the HPA became a UK-wide body and took on the functions of the National Radiological Protection Board. | |
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many paid officials worked for (a) the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards, (b) the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens and (c) the Health Protection Agency in each of the last five years. [238897]
Dawn Primarolo: There are no departmental officials employed by any of these bodies.
The Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards is provided with administrative support by the Department of Health.
The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens is provided with a secretariat jointly by the Health and Safety Executive, the Department of Health, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Department of Health's contribution to the secretariat is currently provided by the Health Protection Agency.
The Health Protection Agency is an independent arm’s length body which employs its own staff. For each of the last five years ending 31 March 2008 their staff numbers, as whole time equivalents were:
| Number | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2063W—continued
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on hospitality in each of the last five financial years. [238892]
Mr. Bradshaw: The following table shows how much the Department spent on hospitality in each of the last five financial years.
| Hospitality expenditure (£) | |
| (1 )It is not possible to derive valid expenditure figures on hospitality from the Department's accounts systems for 2003-04 and 2004-05. | |
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bonus payments were made to his Department's staff in each Civil Service pay grade in each of the last three years; and what the highest and lowest individual bonus payments were in each of those years. [237240]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Department has two sets of bonus arrangements. For senior civil servants, bonuses may be awarded for delivery of personal objectives or other short-term personal contributions to wider organisational objectives, as part of their annual performance assessment. Arrangements are common across all Departments. For all staff the Department operates a Special Bonus Scheme whereby managers may award a bonus to recognise an outstanding contribution in a particularly demanding situation. This can include a temporary and substantial increase in job loading, dealing with pressures arising from temporary vacancies or job requirements, a high level of commitment and resolution to get a job done, difficulties requiring a special effort to overcome, or a contribution over and above what would normally be expected for the job and of the person, or team, concerned.
The numbers of bonuses and the highest and lowest payments (£) by grade for each of the last three years, for each set of arrangements, are provided in the following tables:
| Senior civil s ervice (SCS) bonuses | |||||||||
| 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |||||||
| Grade | Number | Highest (£) | Lowest (£) | Number | Highest (£) | Lowest (£) | Number | Highest (£) | Lowest (£) |
| Special bonuses | |||||||||
| 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |||||||
| Grade( 1) | Number | Highest (£) | Lowest (£) | Number | Highest (£) | Lowest (£) | Number | Highest (£) | Lowest (£) |
| (1) FS = Fast stream. SEO = Senior executive officer. HEO = Higher executive officer. EO = Executive officer. AO = Administrative officer. AA = Administrative assistant (this grade did not exist after August 2006). | |||||||||
The grade under which bonuses are recorded is the current grade, which in some cases may differ from the grade at the time the award was made. Special bonuses for 2008-09 cover only the first seven months of theyear. The highest special bonus payments for the SCS in 2006-07 and 2007-08 are likely to be payments that have been wrongly categorised on the Department's payroll system.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239666]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Department has two sets of arrangements under which bonuses can be awarded. For Senior Civil Servants, pay arrangements are common across all government departments. The Department's senior pay strategy, which conforms to these common arrangements, explains that bonuses may be awarded for delivery of personal objectives or other short-term personal contributions to wider organisational objectives. Individuals are required to agree their priorities with their manager at the beginning of the performance year. Line managers then make recommendations for performance bonuses which are considered by the Department's pay committees at the end of the performance year. The pay committees, which meets annually, make the final decision on whether a bonus should be awarded, relative to the performance of others.
For staff below the Senior Civil Service, the Department operates a special bonus scheme whereby managers may award a bonus to recognise an outstanding contribution in a particularly demanding situation. This can include a temporary and substantial increase in job loading, dealing with pressures arising from temporary vacancies or job requirements, a high level of commitment and resolution to get a job done, difficulties requiring a special effort to overcome, or a contribution over and above what would normally be expected for the job and of the person, or team, concerned.
For 2007-08, bonuses the total amount paid in bonuses was £1,947,319.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many civil servants working in his Department and its agencies have pensions with a cash equivalent transfer value of over £1 million. [229551]
Mr. Bradshaw: It is not appropriate to disclose pension information for civil servants other than Board Members whose details are shown in the Remuneration Report in annual Resource Accounts. A copy of the Department's Resource Accounts for the financial year 2007-08 can be found in the Library or accessed electronically at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/DH_089421
The Accounts for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency can be found in the Library or accessed electronically at:
www.mhra.gov.uk/Publications/Corporate/AnnualReports/CON020817
The Accounts for the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency can be found in the Library or accessed electronically at:
www.pasa.nhs.uk/pasaweb/nhsprocurement/aboutnhspasa/publications/corporatepublications.htm
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238981]
Mr. Bradshaw: The following table gives the number of press releases issued for each financial year since 1997-98:
| Financial year | Number of press releases issued |
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the present monetary value of land and buildings, including NHS land and buildings, his Department expects to dispose of by sale in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; and what estimate his Department has made of the receipts from the sale of each property in each year. [238899]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Department has not undertaken an estimate of the present monetary value of all the land and buildings that it expects to sell over the three-year period. Any estimate of receipts for individual properties is commercially confidential.
Sales of national health service property are managed by local national health service organisations, principally national health service trusts, national health service foundation trusts and primary care trusts. The Department holds no estimates of the present monetary value of properties that the national health service plans to sell or the receipts they anticipate.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on targeted initiatives in (a) inner cities, (b) rural areas and (c) seaside towns in each of the last 16 years. [235701]
Mr. Bradshaw: The information requested is not held centrally.
We address the varying health needs of local populations through the weighted capitation formula for national health service allocations, which assesses need and determines appropriate levels of resource. This has its social services equivalent in the relative needs formula, developed by the Department for Communities and Local Government to allocate resources to local authorities.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2066W—continued
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239040]
Mr. Bradshaw: A list of expenditure by the Department on focus groups and opinion polls in each of the years since 1997 could be provided only at disproportionate cost, as the Department does not hold this information centrally.
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what personal training courses at public expense he has undertaken since his appointment. [230955]
Alan Johnson: I have not undertaken any personal training courses at public expense since undertaking this appointment.
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) location, (b) dates and (c) cost was of each away day his departmental board has held in the last 12 months. [238901]
Mr. Bradshaw: In the last 12 months, the Department's Departmental Board held one away day. This was held at in Egham, Surrey, on 11 and 12 September 2008. The total cost of the facilities was £4,209.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the lower super output areas are with the (a) highest and (b) lowest health rankings in each of the principal seaside towns in England. [234943]
John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
The following tables list the codes for the least and most deprived lower super output areas in the principal seaside towns in England, on the overall measure of multiple deprivation and across the seven domains of the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007. Information on deprivation in Welsh towns can be obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government Statistical Directorate.
| IMD | Income | Employment | |||||
| Most deprived | Least deprived | Most deprived | Least deprived | Most deprived | Least deprived | ||
| Town | LA name | LSOA | LSOA | LSOA | LSOA | LSOA | LSOA |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2068W—continued
| Health & Disability | Education, Skills & Training | Barriers to Housing & Services | |||||
| Most deprived | Least deprived | Most deprived | Least deprived | Most deprived | Least deprived | ||
| Town | LA name | LSOA | LSOA | LSOA | LSOA | LSOA | LSOA |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2070W—continued
| Crime & Disorder | Living Environment | ||||
| Most deprived | Least deprived | Most deprived | Least deprived | ||
| Town | LA name | LSOA | LSOA | LSOA | LSOA |
Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has carried out on the geographical distribution of people with (a) type 1 and (b) type 2 diabetes to enable effective allocation of resources for treatment to take place. [238484]
Ann Keen: The Department has not carried out any such research. It is for national health service organisations to commission diabetes services that meet the needs of their local populations and allocate to resources appropriately.
The Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Observatory has published the PBS Phase 3 Diabetes Prevalence Model, which provides diabetes prevalence estimates for all areas of England. This tool is available to the NHS to support them to undertake a needs assessment in their area and plan services accordingly.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children under the age of 16 years in (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency and (b) Hertfordshire have type one diabetes. [239343]
Ann Keen: Data on the number of children under the age of 16 years with diabetes in Hemel Hempstead and Hertfordshire are not collected centrally.
At a national level, exact figures for the number of children diagnosed with and treated for diabetes are not available.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2072W—continued
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of (a) type 1 and (b) type 2 diabetes were diagnosed in each primary care trust area in Hertfordshire in each of the last five years, broken down by age group. [238233]
Ann Keen: Information is not collected in the format requested. Information is available from 2004-05 from the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) about patients who are on diabetes disease registers, which is not the same as the number of people diagnosed with diabetes each year. This information does not distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, nor is it separated into different age groups.
The following table shows the number of patients aged 17 and over who were on diabetes disease registers in primary care trusts (PCTs) in Hertfordshire from 2004-05 to 2007-08.
| Number of patients on diabetes disease registers in Hertfordshire PCTs. | ||||
| PCT name | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| n/a = Not applicable. Notes: 1. East and North Hertfordshire PCT was created on 1 October 2006 from a complete merger of North Hertfordshire and Stevenage PCT, Royston, Buntingford and Bishop’s Stortford PCT, South East Hertfordshire PCT and Welwyn Hatfield PCT. 2. West Hertfordshire PCT was created on 1 October 2006 from a complete merger of Dacorum PCT, Hertsmere PCT, St. Albans and Harpenden PCT and Watford and Three Rivers PCT. 3. Patients will contribute to the QOF figures only if they are registered with a general practice participating in the QOF. 4. QOF data is collected annually and includes only people with diabetes aged 17 and over. 5. Figures are not available broken down into type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Source: Information Centre for health and social care | ||||
Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of people who have insulin pumps; and how many insulin pumps are provided by the NHS every year; [238486]
(2) Health what estimate he has made of the number of people who are on a waiting list for insulin pumps. [238487]
Ann Keen: Data on the number of people using insulin pumps is not collected centrally. However, in its suite of guidance on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence estimates that the number of patients using insulin pumps in England could be up to 8,000.
Data on the number of people waiting for an insulin pump is not collected centrally. For those people with diabetes who have been identified by their healthcare professional as being suitable for insulin pump therapy, we would not expect there to be any unnecessary delays in the provision of insulin pumps.
Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many diabetic specialist nurses there are; and what the ratio of nurses to patients is. [238488]
Ann Keen: The annual national health service workforce census does not separately identify diabetes specialist nurses. It is therefore not possible to provide the ratio of diabetes specialist nurses to patients.
The Government have supported the development of a range of specialist roles within nursing. It is for local NHS organisations to invest in training for specialist skills and to deploy specialist nurses in accordance with their local needs.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children of school age have been diagnosed with diabetes. [239810]
Ann Keen: Data for the number of children of school age diagnosed with diabetes are not available. However, estimates suggest there are an estimated 20,000 children with type 1 diabetes in England, and some experts suggest that there may also be up to 1,000 children with type 2 diabetes in England.
Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department expects to spend on research into diabetes in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011 and (e) 2012. [238485]
Dawn Primarolo: Expenditure on diabetes research from the Department's 2007-08 research and development budget amounted to some £29 million, and comparable Medical Research Council (MRC) expenditure in the same year to £22 million.
The usual practice of the Department's National Institute for Health Research and of the MRC is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. Future levels of expenditure on diabetes research will be determined by the success of relevant bids for funding.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the likelihood of achieving in European negotiations the Government’s objectives for the setting of a maximum permitted levels of vitamins and mineral in food supplements; and what assessment he has made of the capacity of the Food Standards Agency to manage this process; [237909]
(2) what the likely future timetable is for the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals under the provisions of article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive; what consultations the Food Standards Agency will hold on any such proposed maximum permitted levels; and if he will take steps to ensure that hon. and right hon. Members are fully involved in consideration of those levels prior to their finalisation and adoption as national regulation; [237920]
(3) when he next plans to meet the European Commissioner for Health; what subjects he intends to raise at that meeting; if he will discuss with the Commissioner the implications for consumer choice within the UK of the setting of maximum permitted levels for nutrients in food supplements; and if he will make a statement. [237922]
Dawn Primarolo: The European Commission has indicated that it intends to publish proposals for minimum and maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements in early 2009.
In the absence of proposals no formal assessment has been made of the likelihood of achieving the Government’s objectives in European negotiations.
In the meantime, the Food Standards Agency has been holding bilateral meetings with its counterparts in other member states to promote the Government’s objectives, in addition to promoting these objectives in working group meetings with the European Commission and other member states.
We have been advised by the Food Standards Agency that they have sufficient staff resource capacity to manage the process of setting maximum permitted levels of vitamins and minerals in food supplements.
When the proposals for setting maximum levels are published, the Food Standards Agency will conduct a full consultation with United Kingdom stakeholders in line with the Government Code of Practice on Consultation. The Food Standards Agency will ensure that copies of the consultation documents are placed in the Libraries of the House to ensure that parliamentarians are aware of the consultation and can participate in the process.
There are no current plans for Health Ministers to meet the European Commissioner for Health to discuss matters relating to the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the process if for raising the age limit for the over 30 months scheme; and what the Food Standards Agency’s responsibilities are in this regard. [239528]
Dawn Primarolo: A European Commission Decision has been agreed that would permit the United Kingdom to raise the age above which cattle slaughtered for human consumption are tested for BSE from the current 30 months to 48 months. The Decision is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2009. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for advising government on whether or not any increase in the food-borne risk to UK consumers arising from the change in BSE testing age would be acceptable. Subject to favourable FSA advice and agreement by Health Ministers, implementation of this change in the UK is by an amendment to the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (England) Regulations 2008 and the equivalent devolved legislation.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clients in structured drug treatment in each local authority area (a) had a child aged 16 years or under and (b) were living with a child aged 16 years or under in each of the last five years. [234728]
Dawn Primarolo: Although the data requested is collected, the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) have identified problems with the quality of this data and it believes that releasing this data in its current form would be misleading. The NTA are addressing these data quality issues and expect to publish this data, with an assessment of its quality, alongside their annual statistics release in October 2009.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals have been discharged from treatment for drug misuse on the grounds that they completed treatment drug-free in England in 2007-08. [236693]
Dawn Primarolo: The National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) records data from local drug services about clients in structured drug treatment and the treatment they receive.
Data for 2007-08 shows that a record number of 35,411 individuals successfully completed drug treatment programmes. They were recorded in three categories: treatment completed (17,306), treatment completed drug-free (7,324), and referred on to other agencies after treatment (10,811).
However, the National Treatment Agency (NTA) has identified that treatment services have used a variety of interpretations on how they code the success of individuals completing and leaving the treatment system.
With my agreement from the NTA announced in October that a new more robust coding system will begin from April 2009 which will ensure all services return data to NDTMS in the same way.
Drug addiction is a chronic lapsing condition which requires treatment over an extended period, and in some cases it can take between five and seven years for
drug users to be able to stay off illegal drugs without taking prescribed medicines.
Nevertheless, research indicates that remaining in drug treatment for at least 12 weeks has a lasting positive impact in reducing the harms associated with addiction. During 2007-08 a further 133,000 people were retained in structured drug treatment and therefore derived benefit from it.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds in drug rehabilitation units were available in each of the last five years. [239241]
Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott) on 3 November 2008, Official Report, columns 81-83W.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people received prescriptions of (a) heroin and (b) heroin substitutes in each of the last five years; and how many were receiving a prescription for each at the latest date for which information is available. [239242]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not hold information on the number of patients treated with a particular drug. However we are able to provide two related sources of data, which are (1) the number of heroin prescriptions and (2) the number of people receiving specialist prescribing treatment for drug misuse.
Heroin (diamorphine hydrochloride) is used occasionally as an analgesic and as a cough suppressant. Substitute drugs are used in cases of opioid dependence, which will include heroin addiction as well as addiction to other drugs. Two drugs, buprenorphine and methadone hydrochloride are primarily used as substitutes in the treatment of opioid addiction, although these too have other uses.
The following table shows, for diamorphine hydrochloride, the number of items dispensed for all uses.
| Heroin (diamorphine hydrochloride) | |
| Calendar year | Total number of items ( T housand) |
The following table shows, for heroin substitutes buprenorphine and methadone hydrochloride, the number of items dispensed for use in opioid dependence only.
| Heroin substitutes (buprenorphine and methadone hydrochloride) | |||
| Number of items ( T housand) | |||
| Calendar year | Buprenorphine Hydrochloride (use in opioid dependence only) | Methadone Hydrochloride (use in opioid dependence only) | Total |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2076W—continued
Two other drugs are used in opioid dependence, lofexidine hydrochloride and naltrexone hydrochloride but these are not used as substitutes so figures for these have not been included.
The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse’s (NTA) National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) has collected data on people in drug treatment in England since 2004-05.
NDTMS records numbers of people receiving specialist prescribing for drug treatment rather than the type of drug which is prescribed. Most of those in treatment receive oral methadone, but buprenorphine or other substitute opioids may also be prescribed. Although heroin (prescribed as diamorphine) is an option for the treatment of opiate misuse, it is appropriate for only a very small proportion of opiate misusers.
The number of people in England reported as receiving treatment in a specialist drug treatment prescribing service for each of the years since 2004-05 is set out as follows:
| Number | |
| Note: These figures exclude non-drug specialist GPs who may also prescribe substitute opioids for drug misusers, but do not submit reports to the NDTMS. | |
Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Extending Professional Regulation Working Group to publish its final report. [238888]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Extending Professional Regulation Working Group will be finalising their report with a view to presenting findings to Ministers in December 2008. The final report will be published more widely thereafter.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2008, Official Report, column 93W, on upper gastrointestinal cancer, on what basis he assesses the effectiveness of the Government’s national cancer policy on (a) clinical outcomes, (ii) comparable mortality and (iii) other measurable outcomes. [235599]
Ann Keen: There is a range of measures used to assess the effectiveness of the Government’s national cancer policy. These include cancer mortality rates. Cancer mortality in those aged under 75 fell by over 18 per cent. between 1996 and 2006.
They also include five-year survival rates. For example, the following table shows the information available in relation to five-year survival for cancer of the oesophagus, pancreas and stomach.
| Five year age-standardised relative survival (percentage) for adults in England diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, pancreas and stomach (upper gastro-intestinal cancer) during 1998-2001 and 1999-2003 by sex | ||||||
| Patients diagnosed 1998-2001 | Patients diagnosed 1999-2003 | |||||
| Cancer | Sex | Number of patients | Five year relative survival (percentage) | Number of patients | Five year relative survival (percentage) | Difference |
| Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) | ||||||
Another source of relevant data is 30-day mortality rates. For example, in 1999-2000 the 30-day mortality percentage for all oesophageal cancer was 8.1 per cent. at specialist centres and 9.1 per cent. at non-specialist centres. By 2005-06 that had reduced to 4.3 per cent. for specialist centres and 5.9 per cent. in non specialist centres.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of prescriptions in England were dispensed by GP surgeries in the last 12 months. [239561]
Dawn Primarolo: For the calendar year 2007, dispensing doctors accounted for 7 per cent. of all prescription items dispensed in the community in England. In addition, 2.2 per cent. of items were personally administered by prescribing doctors and dispensing doctors in the community.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dispensing GP surgeries there are in England. [239562]
Phil Hope: As at March 2008 there were 5,664 dispensing doctors and 1,147 dispensing practices in England.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether voluntary sector organisations will be eligible for the new Strategic Health Authority innovation funds. [239578]
Phil Hope: The new strategic health authority innovation funds are intended to be accessed by the broadest range of organisations, bodies and individuals possible, working either in the national health service or in partnership with the NHS. This will include voluntary sector organisations.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to NHS hospital trusts by (a) his Department, (b) deaneries and (c) the NHS on the protocols to be followed when clinicians under training examine patients. [239937]
Dawn Primarolo: There is no specific guidance on this for postgraduate trainee doctors.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the roll-out of practice-based commissioning in (a) Norfolk, (b) the East of England and (c) England; and if he will make a statement. [233805]
Mr. Bradshaw: As identified in the NHS Next Stage Review “Our Vision for Primary and Community Care”, with some exceptions, practice-based commissioning (PBC) has not yet lived up to its full potential.
NHS Norfolk has plans in place for PBC services including the redesign and expansion of community continence clinics; community gynaecology clinics; an ambulatory ECG primary care service; and primary and intermediate aural care.
PBC in the east of England is bringing benefits to patients across the region. In every primary care trust in the region there are new or redesigned services in place as a result of PBC. For patients this means services are closer to home because practices now commission more services locally; gaps have been filled, for example therapy services are commissioned at practice level; and there is more choice, as alternative services are set up.
Momentum is beginning to gather nationally as the latest PBC survey results show. The number of practices across the country commissioning or providing new services through PBC continues to increase quarter on quarter—from 36 per cent. in November 2007, to 41 per cent. in March 2008 and 46 per cent, in August 2008.
PBC is the key route for world class commissioners to develop the effective clinical engagement and leadership necessary to drive improvements in service quality. The Next Stage Review underlines the importance of PBC as a driving force for innovation and improvement. It also set out a range of measures to strengthen PBC, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring that its enormous potential is fully realised.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of his Department’s effectiveness in promoting innovation since the publication of the Wanless report. [237555]
Mr. Bradshaw: In my noble Friend’s, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State’s report, High Quality Care for All, he made clear that innovation must be central to the national health service to ensure that new treatments, practices and services are readily available for patients. The Health Innovation Council was established, Chaired by my noble Friend, and the Council advised on a number of initiatives which later became commitments to support and enable innovation.
In addition, work has been undertaken, and is still continuing, to promote the adoption of clinically and cost effective innovative medical technologies and medicines. The reports of the Health Care Industries Task Force (2004), Better health through partnership and of the Ministerial Industry Strategy Group’s Long Term Leadership Strategy for Medicines (2007) made proposals in this respect. Both reports have been placed in the Library.
In line with Wanless’ vision of integrated information and communication technologies (ICT) applications supporting and linking primary and secondary care and, in due course, also reaching into social care, the National Programme for IT has been a driver of NHS reform.
Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is using to assess improvement in the access to health services by war veterans. [234361]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Department does not collect information specific to veterans’ access to the national health service nor on how many receive priority treatment.
By the end of December 2008, NHS patients in England can expect to start their consultant-led treatment within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral unless they choose to wait longer or it is clinically appropriate that they do so. This applies to all NHS patients including veterans living in England.
In addition to extending the priority treatment to all military veterans whose treatment is required as a result of their military service; over this past year the Department has taken forward pilots aimed at helping better identify and treat veterans with mental health problems and ensure continuity of care for those discharged from military service with prosthetic limbs. The Department is currently working with the MOD on improving information on how veterans’ health needs differ from those in the population more generally.
The current Operating Framework for the NHS makes clear the need to take account of the health needs of service families and Veterans when commissioning services.
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the results of the 2004 consultation on his Department’s proposals to exclude overseas visitors from eligibility to free NHS primary medical services; and if he will make a statement. [239176]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department will publish the responses it received to the consultation document “Proposals to Exclude Overseas Visitors from Eligibility to Free NHS Primary Medical Services”, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
However, given that over four years have elapsed since the consultation exercise, the Department is contacting all those who replied to ensure that they still have no objections to their comments being published. We will then publish the responses.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what national targets are in place for the use by young people of in-school health care services; and what performance primary care trusts in Devon have achieved against these targets in the latest period for which information is available. [238410]
Ann Keen: There are no national targets for the use of in-school health care but the National Healthy School Programme has a target that by December 2009, all schools will be participating and 75 per cent. achieving Healthy School status. As of today, 97 per cent. of schools are participating and 68 per cent. have achieved status. In working towards status schools are encouraged to provide support services for children and young people both on site and in the wider community.
Devon currently has all of its schools participating and 83 per cent. of its schools having achieved Healthy School status.
Dr. Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the effects of implementing the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive; [237659]
(2) what discussions (a) have been held and (b) are planned between Ministers in his Department and representatives of the National Association of Health Stores to discuss the effect of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive; [237660]
(3) if he will seek a delay in the deadline for implementation of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive in light of the European Commission’s review of the implementation of the Directive; [237661]
(4) what assessment he has made of the outcomes of the review by the European Commission of the implementation of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive. [237662]
Dawn Primarolo: The effects of the implementation in the United Kingdom of the traditional herbal registration scheme, introduced following the European directive on traditional herbal medicinal products, remain broadly as anticipated in the regulatory impact assessment prepared by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). As expected, there is a steadily expanding take up of the scheme by a wide range of companies.
Ministers have not met representatives of the National Association of Health Stores to discuss implementation of the directive. However, officials at the MHRA meet regularly with the Herbal Forum, a body representing trade associations covering manufacturers operating in the traditional herbal medicines sector, to discuss issues arising from the implementation of the directive.
The directive was agreed in 2004 and allowed a transitional period, until April 2011, for compliance with that legislation where products were legally on the market at April 2004. We have no plans to press the European Commission to bring forward legislative proposals to extend this seven-year transitional period.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2081W—continued
The main conclusion of the recent review by the European Commission of the early operation of the directive is that there has been insufficient experience across the European Union to justify making substantive changes to most aspects of the legislation at this stage. During the course of the review, the MHRA, among others, had raised the case for greater flexibility to take account of evidence of traditional usage from outside Europe. We continue to believe that there is a case for change in this area. We also welcome the recognition in the review that there may be a case for extending the scope of the directive to certain other categories of traditional medicine where there is a long established pattern of safe use.
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to the NHS on the frequency with which different parts of hospitals should be cleaned in the last five years. [228273]
Ann Keen: Locally determined cleaning frequencies are key to trusts meeting the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections (a copy of which has been placed in the Library,), identifying the resources needed to keep hospitals clean and demonstrating to the Healthcare Commission that those resources are sufficient.
The first set of recommended minimum cleaning frequencies was set out in Revised Guidance on Contracting for Cleaning, published by the then NHS Estates Agency in December 2004. A copy has been placed in the Library. This best practice document was designed to assist the National Health Service in ensuring that contracts for cleaning were driven by quality rather than price.
The existing minimum recommended cleaning frequencies are set out in the national specifications for cleanliness in the NHS: a framework for setting and measuring performance outcomes (a copy of which has been placed in the Library,). This document was published in updated form by the National Patient Safety Agency in April 2007. Minimum recommended cleaning frequencies have been provided in specimen form to help trusts produce their own frequencies specific for their own needs. A single national set of cleaning frequencies would be inappropriate since it could not meet every NHS organisation’s needs.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals with accident and emergency departments provide anonymised data to their local (a) police and (b) crime and disorder reduction partnership to assist them to identify violence hot spots. [238568]
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rate of (a) MRSA and (b) clostridium difficile infection in hospitals was in each region in England in each financial year since 1997-08 for which figures are available. [238905]
Ann Keen: The best available data from the mandatory surveillance schemes for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections and Clostridium difficile ( C. difficile) infection as shown in the following tables.
The data for MRSA bloodstream infections are regional six-monthly rates per 10,000 bed days for the period
April 2001 to March 2008. The data for C. difficile infection are regional rates in patients aged 65 years and over per 1,000 bed days by calendar year for the period January 2004 to December 2007.
Before 2001 and 2004 when the mandatory schemes for MRSA and C. difficile respectively began, data collection was voluntary and incomplete.
| Regional distribution of MRSA (bacteraemia) bloodstream infection rates, April 2001 to March 2008 | ||||||||||||||
| Six-monthly MRSA bacteraemia rate per 10,000 bed-days | ||||||||||||||
| HPA region | Apr 2001 to Sept 2001 | Oct 2001 to Mar 2002 | Apr 2002 to Sept 2002 | Oct 2002 to Mar 2003 | Apr 2003 to Sept 2003 | Oct 2003 to Mar 2004 | Apr 2004 to Sept 2004 | Oct 2004 to Mar 2005 | Apr 2005 to Sept 2005 | Oct 2005 to Mar 2006 | Apr 2006 to Sept 2006 | Oct 2006 to Mar 2007 | Apr 2007 to Sept 2007 | Oct 2007 to Mar 2008 |
| Notes: 1. Data are provisional as they may be updated in year. 2. Relates to patients ages 65 years and over. Source: Health Protection Agency Data as published in the Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections Report: 2008. Available at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1216193833496 | ||||||||||||||
| Regional distribution of C. difficile infection rates, January 2004 to December 2007 | ||||
| Calendar year rate of C. difficile infection per 1000 bed days | ||||
| HPA region | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| Notes: 1. Data are provisional as they may be updated in year. 2. Relates to patients ages 65 years and over. Source: Health Protection Agency Data as published in the Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections Report: 2008. Available at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1216193833496 | ||||
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate he has made of the unit cost of (a) making and (b) receiving phone calls on (i) adult and (ii) children's wards in NHS hospitals. [238895]
Mr. Bradshaw: Around 84,000 patients have access to their own bedside telephone. Private companies install and manage the service, therefore it is provided free to the national health service.
The cost of the outgoing call, from the bedside telephone, is 10 pence per minute. The incoming call charge ranges from 20 pence to 50 pence, depending upon which company is providing the service.
These charges apply to both adult and children's wards.
Other options exist for people not wishing to use the bedside telephone systems. These include the traditional payphones and hospital switchboard facilities, which ensure friends and relatives can be kept up to date on the patient's progress.
Mobile phones can also be used in certain areas of the hospital.
Individual NHS trusts are responsible for running the payphones and switchboard facilities in their hospitals. Therefore, the cost of these calls varies according to local arrangements.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2084W—continued
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned on the health effects of incinerators on people in the locality. [238581]
Dawn Primarolo: Advice has been sought from the Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) on the possible health effects populations living in the vicinity of incinerators, based on research carried out by the Small Area Health Statistics Unit (SAHSU). This Unit is based at Imperial College and is funded by the Department.
In 2000, the COC reviewed a large study by SAHSU that examined 14 million people living within 7.5 km of 72 municipal solid waste incinerators, which operated up to 1987. The Committee concluded that, 'any potential risk of cancer due to residency, for periods in excess of 10 years, near to municipal solid waste incinerators was exceedingly low and probably not measurable by the most modern techniques'. The COC issued a statement on this, a copy has been placed in the Library and is available at:
www.iacoc.org.uk/statements/Municipalsolidwasteincineratorscoc00slmarch2000.htm
In July and November this year, the COC reviewed the results of more recent studies from the scientific literature, which have investigated rates of cancer in people living near municipal solid waste incinerators. A COC statement is being prepared and will be published shortly.
Mr. Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many letters which mentioned intermittent catheters his Department has received in response to its latest consultation on the proposed new arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology appliances and related services in primary care specifically; and if he will make a statement; [238701]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the possibility of extending the prescription fee that pharmacists currently receive to dispensing appliance contractors of intermittent catheters in the proposed new arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff; and if he will make a statement. [238702]
Phil Hope: The consultation period for the latest consultation, “Proposed new arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology appliances—and related services—in Primary Care. June 2008”, ran from 9 June to 9 September 2008. The Department received 604 pieces of correspondence, letters and emails regarding the consultation. It is not possible to identify how many of these specifically mentioned intermittent catheters.
In the latest consultation it was proposed that in the normal course of their business, both dispensing appliance contractors and pharmacy contractors should dispense Part IX prescription items as an essential service as part of their terms of service. It was also proposed that they should receive a 90p professional dispensing fee for each Part IX prescription item dispensed for providing this service.
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when a full summary of responses to the consultation on the review of Part IX of the Drug Tariff will be made available. [239177]
Phil Hope: A summary of responses to the consultation entitled “Proposed new arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology appliances—and related services—in Primary Care (June 2008)” will be placed on the Department's website once we are in a position to provide not only a summary of responses but also a clear indication of the next steps. The intention is to make the documentation as meaningful as possible for all parties. A summary of responses will be published as soon as is practical.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he made of the British Healthcare Trades Association's response to the Government's consultation on the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances under Part IX of the Drug Tariff. [239284]
Phil Hope: The Department received 85 formal responses to the Part IX consultation that closed on 9 September 2008. Among these was a comprehensive response from the British Healthcare Trades Association. We are most grateful to them for taking the time to respond.
All responses are being analysed and will help to inform any policy decisions regarding the arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology appliances—and related services—in primary care.
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the weight of an average monthly supply of intermittent catheters for a patient; and if he will make a statement. [239883]
Phil Hope: As patients and patient needs and lifestyles vary significantly, it is not possible to quantify the weight of an “average” monthly supply of intermittent catheters. The factors that influence the response are the number of catheters used per month and the type of catheter used.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of injuries caused by fireworks in the most recent 12 months for which figures are available. [232746]
Phil Hope: In 2006-07, hospital episode statistics show that the number of episodes where the external cause code was W39 (discharge of firework) was 144 finished consultant episode and 142 finished admission episodes.
www.hesonline.nhs.uk.
These figures only relate to patients admitted to hospital rather than the majority of injuries which are dealt with at accident and emergency (A&E) as outpatients. Dates relating to A&E attendances where injuries were caused by fireworks are not collected centrally.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which keywords or terms his Department has monitored in the media in each of the last three years. [239722]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Department’s Media Centre has employed EDS Media to provide daily cuttings from the national press since July 2007. The keywords that are used to compile the cuttings are revised on a regular basis to reflect changes in departmental policy and in the ministerial team.
The following is a list of the keywords used by EDS Media as of 25 November 2008.
A&E
Abortion
Agenda for Change (OICW NHS)
AIDS
Alan Johnson (Secretary of State)
Alcohol ICW Health (MSS)
Allied Health Professionals
Ambulances
Ann Keen
Barry Cockcroft (Chief Dental Officer)
Ben Bradshaw
Binge drinking ICW Health (MSS)
Biotechnology
Bird Flu
Bournewood (all mentions)
British Dental Association/BDA (all mentions)
British Medical Association (BMA)
Bureaucracy (MSS—OICW health)
Cancer
Cancer Research UK/CRUK (all mentions)
Cardiac/heart
Care homes (NPM)
C. Difficile
Chief Medical Officer Liam Donaldson
Chief Nursing Officer Chris Beasley
Children’s health (NPM)
Children’s hospices
Chimeras
Chlamydia
Choice
Choose & Book
Chronic diseases (all mentions)
Clinical negligence
Commission for Social Care Inspection
Commissioning
Community hospitals
Complimentary therapy
Connecting for Health
Consultants (OICW Health)
David Behan
David Nicholson
David Salisbury (Director of Immunisation at the Department of Health)—All mentions
Dawn Primarolo
Dentists
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Diabetes
Diabetes UK (all mentions)
Diet (OICW Health)
Dignity
Dignity in care
Doctors (MSS)
Donal O’Donaghue (all mentions)
Drugs
DVT
Egg donors
Emergency care
Emergency preparedness
Employment ICW regulation (OICW Medical/health sector)
Euthanasia
Fiona Adshead (Deputy Chief Medical Officer)
Flu
Fluoridation
Fluoridation (OICW health)
Foot and Mouth
Foundation hospitals
Fuel Poverty
General Dental Council/GDC (all mentions)
Genetics
Gonorrhea
GP contract
GPs (MSS)
Gwyneth Lewis
H5N1
Health Protection Agency/HPA (all mentions)
Health tourism/tourists
Healthcare Commission (all mentions)
Heatwave ICW Health (MSS)
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
HIV
Home Oxygen Service
Hospital chaplaincy (all mentions)
Hospital food
Hospitals
HPV
Hugh Taylor
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority/HFEA
Human Tissue Authority/HTA (All mentions)
Hybrids
ICATs
Immunisation
Independent sector
iSoft
ISTCs (NPM)
IVF (MSS)
Learning disabilities (NPM)
Lindsey Davies (National Director of Pandemic Influenza)—MSS
Long-term conditions
Long-term care (NPM)
Lord Ara Darzi
Louis Appleby (all mentions)
Marie Curie Cancer Care (all mentions)
Maternity (NPM)
Medical Research
Mental capacity
Mental health
Mental Health Bill
MHRA
Midwives
Mike Richards (all mentions)
Mixed sex accommodation (all mentions)
Mixed sex wards (all mentions)
Mobile Phones ICW Health (MSS)
Modernising Medical Careers
MRSA (NPM)
National Institute for Innovation and Improvement
National Patient Safety Agency
National Programme for IT
NHS/hospital Managers (MSS)
NHS Direct
NHS Estates
NHS IT
NHS LIFT
NHS PASA
NHS Walk-in Centres
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2089W—continued
NICE
Nurses (MSS)
Nutrition (OICW Health)
Obesity (OICW Health)
Occupational health
Organ Donation
Out of hours services
Pandemic Flu
Pathology
Patient information (all mentions)
Patient safety
Pesticides
PFI (NPM—ICW NHS/Health)
Pharmaceutical industry
Pharmacists
Phil Hope MP
Physical disabilities (NPM)
Postcode lottery (all mentions)
Practice Based Commissioning
Prescription charges
Primary Care (NPM)
Primary Care Trusts (NPM)
Prison health
Privatisation (MSS—OICW Health)
R&D
Race equality (OICW health sector)
Regulatory Authority for Tissues and Embryos/RATE (All mentions)
Renal/kidneys
Right to die
Roger Boyle (all mentions)
Seasonal Flu
Secondary care
Sexual Health
Sheila Shribman
Smoking (OICW Health)
Smoking ban (OICW Health)
Social care/funding (NPM)
Sperm donors
STDs
STIs
Strategic Health Authorities (NPM)
Syphilis
TB
Teeth (OICW health)
Therapists
Tobacco (OICW Health)
Tobacco advertising
Treatment centres (NPM)
vCJD
Workforce (OICW Health)
Working Time Directive (NPM—OICW Health)
General articles about the civil service and Whitehall as well as general articles on Government and politics that may mention NHS and health among other round ups of Government policy and issues, should also include any political or diary pieces about Health Ministers and senior civil servants.
NPM: no passing mention
ICW: in connection with
OICW: only in connection with
MSS: major significant stories
Before July 2007, national press cuttings were provided by Durrants, whose contract covered the previous two years. As follows is the list of keywords used, this version is from 8 March 2007.
18 Weeks
A&E services
Abortion
AIDS/HIV
Alcohol abuse
Alternative medicine
Ambulances
Ancillary staff
Andy Burnham
Bed-blocking
Blood
Breastfeeding
Cancer
Cancer research
Care homes
Caroline Flint
Centre for Applied Microbiological Research
CHAI
Chief Medical Officer
Child day care
Child protection
Children’s act
Children's services
Clinical negligence
Commission for Healthcare Audit and Improvement
Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection
Commission for Patient and Public Involvement
Commission For Social Care Inspection
Committee for the Safety of Medicines
Communicable diseases
Community care
Consultants
Control and restraint issues
Coronary heart disease
Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence
Council for the Regulation of Health Care Professionals
CRHP
CSCI
Dangerous pathogens
Delayed discharge
Dentists
Department of Health
Diabetes
Diagnosis and treatment centres
Disabled people
DOH
Domiciliary care
Drug misuse
Drug users
DTCs
Elderly care
Emergency care
Employment of children
Ethnic minorities
European Health Insurance Card
Euthanasia
Family planning
Family practitioners
Food hazards
Food hygiene
Food poisoning
Foundation hospitals
Gene therapy
General Social Care Council
Genetics
GPs
Health and Politics
Health Development Agency
Health issues
Health Protection Agency
Hepatitis
HISS
Hospital Acquired Infection
Hospital cleanliness
Hospital food
Hospital Information Support Systems
Hospitals
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Human Genetics Commission
Immunisation
Infection control
Infertility
Ivan Lewis
IVF
Junior doctors
Learning disabilities
Long-Term Care
Lord Hunt
Lord Warner
Maternity
Medical and dental workforce
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Mental Health
Mental Health Act Commission
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
MHRA
Microbiological Safety of Foods
Minister of State for Health
Mobile Phones and Health
MRSA
National Care Standards Commission
National Clinical Assessment Authority
National DNA Database
National Health Service
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
National Patient Safety Agency
National Radiological Protection Board
NCAA
NCSC
NHS
NHS Appointments Commission
NHS Direct
NHS Estates
NHS Foundation Trusts
NHS LIFT
NHS Pay
NHS Performance Indicators
NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency
NHS University
NHSU
NICE
Non-medical Workforce
Notifiable Diseases
NPSA
NRPB
Nursing Homes
Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting
Nutrition
Obesity
Occupational health
Ophthalmic services
Organ donation
Palliative care
Patient Advocacy Liaison Services
Patricia Hewitt
PCT
PHLS
PPA
Prescription Charges
Prescription Pricing Authority
Primary Care Trusts
Private Financing Initiative
Professions Allied to Medicine
Public Health Laboratory Service
QC
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2092W—continued
Registered homes
Residential care
Rosie Winterton
Secure accommodation
Sexual health
Sexually transmitted infections
SHA
Shipman Inquiry
Sir Liam Donaldson
Smoking
Social care
Social services
Social work
Strategic Health Authority
Teenage pregnancies
Tuberculosis
UK transplant
Vaccination
Victoria Climbié Inquiry
Viruses
Voluntary children’s homes
Youth treatment services
Cuttings from the regional press are provided by TNS Media Intelligence. The following is a list of the keywords that are used by TNS Media Intelligence as of 25 November 2008.
NHS
Alan Johnson
Dentist
Dentists
MRSA
Cdiff
NHS and cuts
Ben Bradshaw
Dawn Primarolo
Phil Hope
Anne Keen
Ara Darzi
Lord Ara Darzi
Lord Darzi
NHS and reconfiguration
Department of Health
C.difficile
Superbug
GP
Healthcare
The lists of keywords are used by the press cuttings agencies to electronically search through press articles, before the articles are checked by hand to make sure that non-relevant articles are not included.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of progress towards implementation of the national choice guarantee for maternity services. [238540]
Ann Keen: The NHS Operating Framework for 2007-08 (a copy of which has already been placed in the Library) stated that this was a preparatory year for primary care trusts (PCTs) to undertake a needs assessment and to make plans for meeting the maternity commitment by the end of 2009. It is for strategic health authorities to monitor the performance of PCTs.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data will be gathered through the National Maternity Services Dataset; and if he will make a statement. [238543]
Ann Keen: A draft version of the National Maternity Services Dataset has been placed in the Library and can also be found at:
www.ic.nhs.uk/services/datasets/document-downloads/maternity
Work is ongoing in developing the final version which will be published in due course.
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 834W, on maternity services, what correspondence his Department has had with primary care trusts on the additional sums to be made available for maternity care in the years 2008-09 to 2010-11 since the publication of the NHS Operating Framework for 2008-09. [238706]
Phil Hope: This funding has been the subject of discussion between the Department of Health and strategic health authorities, but there has been no official correspondence between the Department and PCTs on the additional sums to be made available for maternity care in the years 2008-09 to 2010-11 since the publication of the NHS Operating Framework for 2008-09.
However, David Flory, NHS Director General of Finance, Performance and Operations at the Department wrote to strategic health authority (SHA) Chief Executives on 22 August 2008 following publication of the Healthcare Commission’s review of maternity services on 10 July 2008. This set out the expectations that SHA Chief Executives should monitor implementation of action plans in the trusts that were performing least well on maternity services.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered neonatal nurses there are in (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency, (b) Hertfordshire and (c) nationwide. [239350]
Ann Keen: The annual NHS workforce census does not separately identify neonatal nurses. The Government have supported the development of a range of specialist roles within nursing. It is for local national health service organisations to invest in training for specialist skills and to deploy specialist nurses in accordance with their local needs.
The number of qualified paediatric nurses, which includes neonatal nurses and other nurses involved in the care of children, is shown for Hertfordshire and England in the following table:
| NHS hospital and community health services: qualified paediatric nurses in England, the east of England strategic health authority area and each specified organisation as at 30 September 2007 | |
| Headcount | |
| Number of qualified paediatric nurses | |
| Note: The numbers of paediatric nurses for Hemel Hempstead and the United Kingdom are not available. Source: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce Census. | |
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what medical insurance scheme benefits are offered through (a) the NHS Graduate Training Scheme and (b) the Gateway to Leadership programme; what estimate he has made of the cost of providing these benefits in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [236957]
Ann Keen: There are no medical insurance scheme benefits offered through the NHS Graduate Training Scheme or the Gateway to Leadership programme.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of full implementation of guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence on (a) drug and alcohol treatment and services and (b) access to psychological therapies over the next 10 years. [237168]
Dawn Primarolo: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) develops costing tools to support implementation of its guidance in the national health service. The costing tools estimate the cost to implement NICE's recommendations and are published alongside final guidance on NICE'S website.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the (a) capital cost and (b) annual running cost of providing an additional place in the (a) secure and (b) semi-secure mental health estate; and if he will make a statement; [239821]
(2) what his plans are for the future number of places to be provided in the (a) secure and (b) semi-secure mental health estate; and if he will make a statement; [239822]
(3) what the average cost of keeping a person in a (a) secure and (b) semi-secure place in mental health accommodation for (i) a week and (ii) a year was in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [239823]
(4) how many (a) secure and (b) semi-secure places in mental health accommodation there were in each of the last 10 years. [239824]
Phil Hope: Secure mental health services are defined as high, medium and low secure. Arrangements for each of those levels of security differ.
High secure services fall within the statutory responsibility of the Secretary of State for Health. These services are overseen by a national oversight group and a ministerial ‘line of sight’ responsibility is exercised through dedicated performance managers in local strategic health authorities. Commissioning of high secure services sits with a national high secure commissioning team, accountable to the national commissioning group and reporting to the national oversight group.
Because of the special arrangements in place for high security, the Secretary of State has access to high level information relating to bed capacity and key aspects of performance. High secure services are currently operating to a five-year capacity plan commissioning approximately 780 beds nationally. The service level agreement value for 2006-07 was £218,817,000. A further five-year capacity review for beyond 2010-11 is currently being commissioned.
Medium secure services are commissioned and performance managed at a local level by the NHS, predominantly through specialised commissioning groups.
Because NHS commissioners are responsible for forecasting future demand and procuring it in the most effective way, information on capital and annual running costs of services is held locally by commissioners and not collected nationally. The national reference cost reported for 2006-07 for medium secure mental health units was £453.00 per bed day.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the hon. Member for Bury, South (Mr. Lewis) to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott) vol. 474, columns 1220-22W, for information on historic bed numbers in NHS secure units.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2008, Official Report, columns 1461-62W, on midwives, what the average national benchmark price for the tuition fee of a student midwife was in each academic year since 1997-98. [238538]
Ann Keen: The National Benchmark Prices for student midwives for each year since their implementation in 2005-06 are provided in the following table:
| £ | ||
| Midwifery diploma | Midwifery degree | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2097W—continued
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold discussions with the World Health Organisation and the European Union on the continued use of Myodil overseas following its withdrawal from UK markets. [236794]
Dawn Primarolo: The withdrawal of Myodil from the United Kingdom market for commercial reasons in 1987 predated the start of the current European Union system of drug regulation. As the decision to withdraw was a commercial one made by the manufacturer there would have been no reason to hold discussions with EU member states or the World Health Organisation.
There is currently an EU network of drug safety monitoring and close interactions with all EU member states on matters of medicines safety. The forum for discussions on issues of drug safety is the monthly meeting of the Pharmacovigilance Working Party (PhVWP) of the Committee for Medicinal products for Human Use (CHMP) held at the European Medicines Agency. The PhVWP has representation from all EU member states and any delegate can add issues to the agenda for discussion. The PhVWP also has links with the World Health Organisation. Any proposed withdrawal of a medicine for safety reasons is discussed at the PhVWP or the CHMP to ensure a consistent EU-wide approach.
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding was allocated to drug action teams through the National Treatment Agency in 2007-08; how much has been allocated for 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [239494]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department of Health and the Home Office have provided specific resources for drug treatment since 2001 in the form of the pooled drug treatment budget (PTB), with £398 million of funding provided in 2007-08 and 2008-09. In May 2007, the Ministry of Justice assumed responsibility for the element which had been the Home Office contribution. Mainstream resources are used by local partnerships in addition to the PTB to fund drug treatment services.
The following table shows the PTB allocations by local drug partnership areas for 2007-08 and 2008-09.
| Total PTB | |||
| Region | Partnership | 2007-08 | 2008-09 |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2100W—continued
The PTB is allocated direct to primary care trusts (PCTs) rather than being routed through the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA). The NTA's role is to ensure that allocations reflect local need, to monitor how funding is spent and to work with PCTs and Drug Action Teams to ensure that local treatment systems continue to improve and deliver effective and efficient services.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what treatments for patients with neurofibromatosis are available; and if he will make a statement. [239351]
Ann Keen: Many people with neurofibromatosis are mildly affected only and are able to live a normal, healthy life. However, it is important that any complications are monitored by the appropriate specialists, so that action can be taken if they start to cause problems. Tumours that cause pain or discomfort can sometimes be surgically removed. If this is not possible because of the location or size of the tumour, pain-reducing medication may be prescribed by health professionals.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the NHS’s budget was spent on medicine for the treatment of neurological illnesses in the latest period for which figures are available. [238364]
Ann Keen: Expenditure estimates relating to ‘Neurological System Problems’ are collected as part of the annual programme budgeting returns. The latest figures from the 2006-07 financial year suggest that 3.6 per cent. of national health service expenditure was accounted for by ‘Neurological System Problems’.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding the Government have provided for research into neurological illnesses in the last 10 years. [238089]
Dawn Primarolo: The available information is shown in the following table:
| Neurological conditions research | ||
| £ million | ||
| Department | Medical Research Council( 1) | |
| (1) Neurosciences and mental health board portfolio. (2 )Not available. (3 )Chronic neurological disease only. (4) Not yet available. | ||
Over the last 10 years, the main part of the Department's total expenditure on health research has been devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Those organisations have since 2001 accounted for their use of the research and development allocations received from the Department in an annual report. The information given in the table is derived from those reports and relates to expenditure on projects concerned with chronic neurological disease and degenerative neurological disorders.
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to the NHS on bringing forward proposed capital projects. [238703]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Government announced in their pre-Budget report published on 24 November that they would bring forward £100 million of capital spending to financial years 2008-09 and 2009-10 to advance the upgrading of up to 600 GP surgeries to training practices. We intend to discuss further with the NHS and professional groups how best to deploy this investment.
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data his Department collects on serious untoward incidents in the NHS. [238898]
Ann Keen: Data relating to serious untoward incidents are not routinely collected by the Department. The National Patient Safety Agency collects and collates information related to serious patient safety incidents and deaths (as a result of patient safety incidents) which are reported to them from local national health service organisations through the National Reporting and Learning System.
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is recorded in the Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index to which the NHS information centre has access. [238906]
Dawn Primarolo: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care has access to the Health Hospital Pharmacy Audit Index (HPAI) database, which is supplied by IMS Health (Intercontinental Medical Statistics).
Data is collected from pharmacies in participating hospital trusts across the United Kingdom on a commercial basis and the section of the HPAI database relating to England has been made available by IMS on a monthly basis, subject to a contract between IMS Health and The Information Centre. The Information Centre receives data from this system at the level of the 28 strategic health authorities which existed prior to July 2006.
The HPAI is based on issues of medicines recorded on hospital pharmacy systems; the data record the volume of packs issued rather than the number of issuing events. This volume information is priced using the Drug Tariff and other price lists. ‘Issues’ refer to all medicines supplied from hospital pharmacies: to wards, departments, clinics, theatres, satellite sites and to patients in out-patient clinics and on discharge. Therefore, the HPAI monitors usage levels by hospitals rather than purchases by trusts which may be acting for a consortium of trusts.
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency spent on private sector consultancy fees in each of the last three financial years. [238418]
Mr. Bradshaw: The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency spent the following on private sector consultancy in the last three financial years.
| £ | |
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been treated at York NHS walk-in centre in each year since it opened. [236884]
Mr. Bradshaw: This information is not collected centrally. This information can be obtained from the North Yorkshire and York primary care trust directly.
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial penalties Stoke-on-Trent City Council has incurred in the last period for which figures are available as a result of delayed discharges from hospitals. [239506]
Phil Hope: The information is not collected centrally.
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many delayed discharges there were in (a) the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority area, (b) the Stoke-on-Trent Primary Care Trust area, (c) the North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust area and (d) England in each of the last five years, broken down by reason for delay; and how many patients in each case were occupying an acute hospital bed. [239509]
Phil Hope: The information requested is shown in the following tables.
| Acute delayed transfers of care and number of occupied acute beds, North Staffordshire primary care trust (PCT) and Stoke on Trent PCT, 2003-04 to 2007-08 | ||
| Number | ||
| Patients occupying a ‘acute’ hospital bed with delayed discharge | Patients occupying an ‘acute’ hospital bed (all ages) | |
| Notes: 1. The data shown are from a snapshot carried out in Q4 each year. 2. Newcastle-under-Lyme PCT merged to form North Staffordshire PCT on 1 October 2006. North Stoke PCT and South Stoke PCT merged to form Stoke on Trent PCT on 1 October 2006. Source: Department of Health form: Local Delivery Plan Return (LDPR). | ||
| Acute delayed transfers of care and number of occupied acute beds, West Midlands strategic health authority (SHA), 2003-04 to 2007-08 | |||||
| Reason for delay | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Notes: 1. The aforementioned are shown for Shropshire and Staffordshire SHA, Birmingham and the Black Country SHA and West Midlands South SHA. These three SHAs merged to form West Midlands SHA on 1 July 2006. 2. Number of delayed transfers of care are collected as a snapshot at midnight Thursday each week. 3. The number of acute beds were only collected on a voluntary basis in the Weekly Situation Reports, from 18 December 2006. Therefore, annual data from the KH03 form have been shown for 2006-07 and 2007-08 instead. 4. The delayed transfers of care data shown is for adults (aged 18+). 5. Non-acute delayed of care data are available for 2007-08. However, the parliamentary question seems to request information for acute delayed transfers of care only. Source: Department of Health forms: Weekly Situation Reports and KH03 | |||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2104W—continued
| Acute delayed transfers of care and number of occupied acute beds, England , 2003-04 to 2007-08 | |||||
| Reason for delay | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
| Notes: 1. Number of delayed transfers of care are collected as a snapshot at midnight Thursday each week. 2. The number of acute beds were only collected on a voluntary basis in the Weekly Situation Reports, from 18 December 2006. Therefore, annual data from the KH03 form have been shown for 2006-07 and 2007-08 instead. 3. The delayed transfers of care data shown is for adults (aged 18+). 4. Non-acute delayed of care data are available for 2007-08. However, the parliamentary question seems to request information for acute delayed transfers of care only. Source: Department of Health forms: Weekly Situation Reports and KH03 | |||||
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of drugs prescribed within the NHS in England were preventative in the most recent period for which figures are available. [239560]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not hold the information requested.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the NHS to have fully implemented the health resource group coding system. [238268]
Mr. Bradshaw: Healthcare Resource Groups (HRGs) are a secondary healthcare classification of groups of procedures and treatments that are clinically meaningful, and are expected to use similar amounts of resource. They have been used to benchmark costings between providers of national health service care for more than 10 years.
HRGs are generated from the content of the patient record, and use a combination of administration, procedure and diagnoses primary classifications to describe the care received by a patient.
The latest iteration of HRGs, known as HRG4, was designed with substantial clinical involvement over a number of years. It has been used by the NHS in England for costing since April 2006.
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contribution the NHS IT Cerner system makes to hospital trusts’ returns to the Department of Health. [236770]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Cerner system allows all hospital trust returns to be made to the Department, with the sole exception of direct reporting from the system of 18 week wait patient pathway data, for which trusts have alternative arrangements. This additional facility has been built into a software release that has been tested and is due for future release.
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the NHS IT Cerner system at Worthing and Southlands Hospital Trust reliably makes available at handover between nursing shifts and doctors’ shifts (a) patients’ names and numbers, (b) the ward, bay and bed of each patient, (c) the consultant in charge of each patient, (d) information on what is wrong with, or the condition of, each patient and (e) (i) a list of patients by ward and bed for nurses’ handover and (ii) a list of patients by consultant for doctors’ handover, each with the information in categories (a) to (c) above with lines of space between records to allow writing by nurses or doctors. [236771]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Cerner system provides all these data on line. Problems experienced at the Worthing and Southlands hospitals trust have involved the ability to print the data, and in a form acceptable to local national health service staff. Necessary modifications to facilitate this were delayed as a result contract negotiations with the supplier between May and July 2008. These were installed in the system within the last week.
Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what means under the NHS IT Cerner system’s Power Chart (a) a doctor transfers a patient’s case between consultants and (b) a modification or alteration can be made to a diagnosis without deleting and re-entering the patient’s data. [236791]
Mr. Bradshaw: The transfer of care is initiated by the consultant and recorded in the system and has historically been done using a function called transfer in facility, which simultaneously provides for the transfer between wards. The ability to complete these actions in the powerchart facility has been enabled within the last week.
In the current version of the Cerner system, modification of existing diagnosis information is not possible, although there is a facility to copy existing information and allow updating of relevant information. The functionality to allow direct modification is expected to be available in the next major software release.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms his Department uses to measure the rate of inflation as it applies to NHS costs. [238539]
Mr. Bradshaw: Between 1992-93 and 2003-04, the Department used the NHS inflation index to measure the rate of inflation specific to the NHS. The NHS inflation index is constructed using five sub-indices; these cover expenditure on Hospital and Community Health Sector (HCHS) pay, HCHS prices, HCHS capital, Family Health Services (FHS) and ‘other’.
The overall NHS inflation index is not available from 2004-05 onwards due to the introduction of new contracts for general medical services in 2004-05, pharmaceutical services in 2005-06 and general dental services in 2006-07 which provide flexibility for practitioners to expand the range of services they offer to patients. These new contracts mean that there is insufficient data to continue producing the FHS index.
The Department continues to measure HCHS inflation using the pay, prices and capital indices.
Mr. Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of (a) NHS nurses and (b) NHS doctors who left their employment with between two and five years experience in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007 and (d) 2008 to date. [234832]
Ann Keen: The estimated headcount number of national health service doctors and nurses leaving the English NHS for the years 2005 and 2006 are shown in the following table.
| Joiners in 2006 | Leavers from 2005 | Joiners in2007 | Leavers from 2006 | |
| Source: NHS Information Centre Medical and Non Medical workforce censuses http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/workforce/nhs-turnover | ||||
Data for 2007 and 2008 has not yet been collected. No data is available to show how many of the leavers shown in the aforementioned table left the NHS with between two and five years experience.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether mental health service users will be guaranteed a choice of hospital under the proposed NHS Constitution. [239577]
“you have a right to make choices about your NHS care. The options available to you will develop over time and depend on your individual need”.
In the handbook to the draft constitution it states that directions will be given by the Secretary of State under section 8 of the NHS Act to require primary care trusts to ensure that patients have a right to choose their providers. A copy of the handbook has been placed in the Library. Directions will specify services covered, exceptions and whether mental health service users are included. We have recently consulted on the draft constitution and the final constitution will be published in due course.
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the guaranteed choice of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence approved treatments as outlined in the NHS constitution will apply to mental health treatment guidelines. [239579]
Dawn Primarolo: The proposed NHS constitution right applies to all drugs and treatments that are recommended in technology appraisal guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and covered by the associated funding direction.
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procurement guidance his Department provides to NHS trusts on in-house bids received during a tendering process for clinical support services. [238427]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Department published a PCT Procurement Guide for Health Services in May 2008. The Guide supports NHS Commissioners in deciding whether and how to procure health services through formal tendering and market-testing exercises. It is one of the system management tools and guidance documents and it is referenced in the Principles and Rules for Cooperation and Competition.
Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library and are also available at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_084778
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_081098? IdcService=GET_FILE8idID=156035&Rendition=Web
Mr. Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider providing funding for the establishment and operation of a national association of local involvement networks. [237867]
Ann Keen: We have always made clear that the drive to strengthen the voice of patients, users and the public is local: local people and communities influencing their local services.
Local involvement networks (LINks) are independent and have the power to develop their own priorities and agendas based on feedback from their communities. We recognise, however, that they need to develop relationships with a number of stakeholders to fulfil their statutory role effectively. There is nothing to prevent LINks using some of their funding to establish local, regional or national networks if they so wish. We do not believe this is a decision for Government but rather a matter for LINks themselves.
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to increase the budgets for local involvement networks to reflect the number of activities they will undertake. [239299]
Ann Keen: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) on 20 May 2008, Official Report, column 202W.
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide indemnity to members of local involvement networks in undertaking their scrutiny functions; and if he will make a statement. [239552]
Ann Keen: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) on 20 May 2008, Official Report, column 202W.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2109W—continued
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual cost to the NHS of the language interpreting service is. [239565]
Mr. Bradshaw: National health service bodies are not required to report their planned or actual spending on interpretation and translation services to the Department. When planning such services, NHS bodies should take due account of their legal duties, the composition of the communities they serve, and the needs and circumstances of their patients, service users and local populations.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding was provided for school nurses in each primary care trust area in 2008-09. [238412]
Ann Keen: It is for primary care trusts, in discussion with their local authorities, to take decisions on how to commit the resources available to them to meet local needs, including decisions on how much to spend on school nurses, taking account of the NHS Operating Framework and of local priorities and plans developed in partnership with local schools and children’s services.
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the applicability to food supplements of nutrient profiles set under the provision of the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation; and what steps he is taking to advance that policy in discussions on these matters at the Council of Ministers and its Working Groups. [239281]
Dawn Primarolo: Nutrient profiles are to be established in order that health or nutrition claims are not made on foods that contain high levels of saturated fat, salt or sugar as this could mislead consumers as to the true nutritional quality of those foods. Foods that have no nutritional impact because they contain very low or no levels of these nutrients, or are consumed in very small quantities, including food supplements as defined by the food supplements directive, are to be exempt from compliance with nutrient profiles in the European Commission proposal. The United Kingdom has and will continue to support the proposed exemption.
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had on the European Food Safety Authority's procedures to distinguish between the processes and criteria adopted in relation to claims submitted under (a) Article 14 and 13.5 and (b) Article 13.1 of the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation; and if he will make a statement. [239282]
Dawn Primarolo: The Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation requires that (a) all nutrition and health claims must be substantiated by generally accepted scientific evidence to be authorised and listed as approved for use (Article 6); and (b) the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) must be consulted during the assessment of claims for its opinion on the scientific substantiation (Articles 13 and 14). The Article 13 process where member states submitted generic lists of claims for assessment is different to that under Article 14 where individual dossiers are required from applicants. It is for EFSA as the independent advisory body to decide if and how it may tailor its approach to delivering a scientific opinion on these claims and member states have no influence on this—nor should they. Whatever EFSA's approach, the requirements of the regulation must be satisfied.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider the merits of widening the remit of the Nutrition Strategy Steering Group to allow it to consider malnutrition amongst older people; whether the membership of this body will be expanded to include a professional working this area; and if he will make a statement. [236945]
Dawn Primarolo: The Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board was set up with a narrow remit to oversee delivery of Improving Nutritional Care: A joint Action Plan from the Department of Health and Nutrition Summit Stakeholders. The Board will make a final report to ministers in the new year. It is planned that the Board will dissolve at that point but Ministers will consider this in the light of the final report.
The plan identifies five key priorities for action, one of which is:
“To raise awareness of the link between nutrition and good health and that malnutrition can be prevented”.
The Board’s membership includes Professor Marinos Elia from the British Association for Parental and Enteral Nutrition which has done pioneer work on screening for malnutrition.
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each age group have received oral medication of each type for the treatment of obesity in each of the last 10 years. [237219]
Ann Keen: Data are not held on the number of people receiving medication for the treatment of obesity. However, data are collected on the number of prescription items dispensed in the treatment of obesity. This information is provided in the following table:
| Prescription items of drugs used in the treatment of obesity dispensed in England, 1998-2007 | ||||||||||
| Number (Thousand) | ||||||||||
| BNF chemical name | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| — signifies less than 50 items dispensed. Notes: 1. Specific age group data do not exist on the Prescription Cost Analysis database. 2. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospitals, including mental health trusts, or private prescriptions. | ||||||||||
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each age group have received gastric surgery of each type for the treatment of obesity in each of the last 10 years. [237402]
Dawn Primarolo: Data on finished consultant episodes for gastric surgery related to obesity by age group is provided in the following table:
| Count of finished consultant episodes where there was a main operative procedure for gastric surgery and a primary diagnosis of Obesity in data years 1997-98 to 2006-07 | |||||
| Gastric bypass | Stomach stapling | Banded gastroplasty | Sleeve gastrectomy | ||
| Notes: Finished Consultant Episode (FCE) An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year. Data Quality Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. During the years that these records have been collected by the NHS, there have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example a number of procedures may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and may no longer be accounted in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time. Diagnosis (Primary Diagnosis) The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (7 prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital. Diagnosis Code Used: E660 - Obesity due to excess calories E661 - Drug-induced obesity E662 - Extreme obesity with alveolar hypoventilation E668 - Other obesity E669 - Obesity, unspecified Ungrossed Data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed). Small numbers Due to reasons of confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been suppressed and replaced with “*” (an asterisk). Where it was possible to identify numbers from the total due to a single suppressed number in a row or column, an additional number (the next smallest) has been suppressed in order to protect patient confidentiality. Main Operation The main operation is the first recorded operation in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main operation when looking at admission details, e.g. time waited, but the figures for ‘all operations count of episodes’ give a more complete count of episodes with an operation. Secondary Procedure As well as the main operative procedure, there are up to 11 (3 prior to 2002-03) secondary operation fields in HES that show secondary or additional procedures performed on the patient during the episode of care. Source: HES. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. | |||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2113W—continued
The following information needs to be taken into account when interpreting this data:
Data is defined as ICD-10 code E66 (obesity) paired with the following categories of gastric surgery.
Gastric bypass surgery
Stomach stapling
Banded gastroplasty
Sleeve gastrectomy
Banded Gastroplasty is also known in some circumstances as stomach stapling, and is a common restrictive operation for weight control. Both the band and staples are used to create a small stomach pouch.
There are no dedicated codes for Sleeve Gastrectomy prior to April 2006 and therefore this data cannot be
identified. However, in 2006-07 these codes are also included in the ‘gastric bypass surgery’ category therefore it is not possible to add all categories to calculate the total number of finished consultant episodes with gastric surgery 2006-07.
Prior to April 2006 there was no dedicated code for ‘Stomach Stapling’. However, it was possible to provide information from two operation codes used to identify stomach stapling operations.
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of (a) the number of opticians in the London borough of Bexley and (b) the number of opticians per 1,000 population in the London borough of Bexley. [238133]
Ann Keen: Information is not available in the format requested.
The number of general ophthalmic services (GOS) ophthalmic practitioners in England and Wales, as at 31 December 2007, is included within Table B1 of Annex 3 of the report “General Ophthalmic Services: Workforce Statistics for England and Wales: 31 December 2007”. Table B2 of Annex 3 of the report includes the number of ophthalmic practitioners per 100,000 population in England and Wales, as at 31 December 2007. Information is available by strategic health authority, primary care trust, Welsh region and local health board.
This report, published on 20 November 2008, has been placed in the Library and is also available on the website of the Information Centre for health and social care at:
www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/genophworkfstats07
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of (a) the number of opticians and (b) the number of opticians per 1,000 population in Hemel Hempstead constituency. [239344]
Ann Keen: Information is not available in the format requested.
The numbers of General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) ophthalmic practitioners in England and Wales, as at 31 December 2007, are included within Table B1 of Annex 4 of the “General Ophthalmic Services: Workforce Statistics for England and Wales: 31 December 2007” report. Information is available by strategic health authority (SHA), primary care trust (PCT), Welsh Region and Local Health Board (LHB).
Table B2 of Annex 4 of the above publication includes the numbers of ophthalmic practitioners per 100,000 population, in England and Wales, as at 31 December 2007. Information is presented by the same regional boundaries as above.
This report, published on 20 November 2008, has been placed in the Library and is also available on the NHS Information Centre website at:
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/genophworkfstats07
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the failure rate was for attempted connections under the Choose and Book system at the latest date for which figures are available. [236476]
Mr. Bradshaw: The secure log-on and authentication process to access systems under the national programme for information technology provides access to the care record spine services and choose and book. It is not possible therefore to differentiate choose and book connection failures from other national application connection failures.
Information on availability of the choose and book computer system for use by national health service staff and patients over the past 12 months is shown in the following table.
| Choose and book availability | ||
| Percentage | ||
| Core hours | Non-core hours | |
| Note: Core hours are 7.00 am to l0.00 pm daily. | ||
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls to the NHS Direct national Choose and Book appointments line (a) were unanswered, (b) received an engaged tone, (c) were abandoned and (d) were answered in each of the last 36 months. [236952]
Mr. Bradshaw: The number of calls to the Choose and Book Appointments Line (TAL) run by NHS Direct on behalf of the national health service which were unanswered, received an engaged tone, abandoned or answered in each of the last 36 months are shown in the following tables.
| Breakdown of calls received by British Telecom (BT) switch (the telephone network provider) and those calls transferred to the Choose and Book Appointments Line (TAL) | |||||
| November | December | January | February | March | |
| April | May | June | July | August | September | |
| October | November | December | January | February | March | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2116W—continued
| April | May | June | July | August | September | |
| October | November | December | January | February | March | |
| April | May | June | July | August | September | October | |
| (1 )Data on the number of ineffective calls was not collected by NHS Direct prior to September 2006. (2 )Data on the number of engaged calls was not collected by NHS Direct prior to September 2006. (3 )Data on the number of calls abandoned after the threshold was not collected prior to May 2007. Definitions: Ineffective call: consists of two groups of calls: 1. Calls where the caller abandons after 10 seconds after the end of the message and before the service's equipment can accept the call. The presence of such calls may indicate a problem with NHS Direct’s call transfer processes. 2. Calls routed to a “courtesy” message during service hours. The intelligent network occasionally routes calls to this message when average wait time exceeds a certain threshold. Engaged call: The proportion of calls that are routed to NHS Direct and receive the engaged tone. Calls abandoned: Calls where the caller abandoned after 10 seconds after the end of the message and before TAL's equipment can accept the call. Calls abandoned after threshold: When calls are presented to a Choose and Book site the customer has the ability to abandon the call before it is answered. If this happens the call is recorded as an abandoned call. Only calls abandoned after 30 seconds of the call being presented to Choose and Book are included for this key performance indicator. Source: NHS Direct. | |||||||
Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patient safety incidents classified as causing (a) no harm, (b) low harm, (c) moderate harm, (d) severe harm and (e) death were recorded in each NHS trust in each quarter since the inception of the National Reporting and Learning System; and if he will break these figures down by type of incident. [239575]
Ann Keen: As a consequence of national health service reconfigurations over the past five years, the information requested is not currently available. The regular National Reporting and Learning System Quarterly Data Summaries from the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) provide a breakdown for incidents in England and Wales by degree of harm and incident type, for a range of care settings.
In addition, from February 2009 the NPSA will be publishing NHS trust level data, including a breakdown by incident type and degree of harm.
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the World Health Organisation's publication The Public Health Significance of the Urban Pests; and what consideration he has given to the recommendation that governments should (a) collect information on vectors and (b) develop capacity to identify pest-related risks in the urban environment. [239507]
Dawn Primarolo:
The recommendations of the World Health Organisation in relation to the risks posed to
public health by urban pests emphasise the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to risk assessment, management and control measures.
We are satisfied that we have in place in the United Kingdom the necessary capability for the identification and assessment of risks posed by vector-borne infection and pest-related health risks, together with the appropriate infrastructure for a co-ordinated approach to the control and management of such risks.
Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the reconvened hearing by the Family Health Services Appeal Authority into the application for a pharmacy at Widdrington Station, Northumberland, has been moved from Northumberland to Harrogate, North Yorkshire. [239934]
Dawn Primarolo: This is a matter for the Family Health Services Appeals Unit.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of domestic violence victims treated by the NHS who were pregnant at the time they received treatment in the last 12 months; [217575]
(2) what guidance his Department provides to healthcare professionals on (a) questioning of pregnant women about domestic violence and (b) provision of treatment to a victim of domestic violence who is pregnant. [217713]
Ann Keen: The information requested on the number of victims of domestic violence treated by the national health service who are pregnant is not collected centrally.
The Department of Health has conducted initial pilot work to explore the best way to collect data in an emergency department, a maternity hospital and GP surgery. Following that, the Department has undertaken feasibility pilots to test and develop a dataset template in accident and emergency departments to collect de-personalised data on domestic violence.
The updated domestic abuse handbook and cd-Rom, responding to domestic abuse: a handbook for health professionals, which was published in December 2005, provides advice and guidance on how the health services can respond to pregnant women who are victims of domestic abuse. Current advice is that routine inquiries should be made of all pregnant women to explore the possibility of domestic violence, in the course of taking a social history and providing information. A copy of the handbook has been placed in the Library.
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's guidance to primary care trusts on implementing separate care. [239553]
Mr. Bradshaw:
A copy of the Department of Health's “Draft Guidance on NHS patients who wish to pay for
additional private care” has been placed in the Library and is also available at the Department's website at:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_089926
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2120W—continued
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with prostate cancer have received brachytherapy treatment in each treatment centre in each of the last five years. [237400]
Ann Keen: Information is not available in the format requested.
A table containing information on the number of finished consultant episodes per provider in England where the primary diagnosis was prostate cancer, and the procedure was brachytherapy, has been placed in the Library. The information covers each of the last five years from 2002-03 to 2006-07.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been (a) investigated and (b) upheld in the last 12 months. [236897]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Department has received fewer than five complaints of racial abuse in the last 12 months, so is unable to provide specific information on the grounds of confidentiality.
The Department has taken a number of initiatives recently to continue to address issues of bullying and harassment. It launched new bullying and harassment and dispute resolution policies in March 2008. These policies reaffirm the Department's commitment to encouraging and maintaining good employee relations, recognising that everyone working in the Department has a responsibility to maintain good working relationships and not harm the well-being of others, and the right to be treated with consideration, fairness, dignity and respect with absolutely no place in the workplace for abuse of any sort. In particular, the bullying and harassment policy states that bullying or harassment is unacceptable and confirms that the Department has a zero-tolerance policy.
The Department actively supports the national Ban Bullying At Work Day, which was held this year on 7 November. The bullying and harassment policy is supported by an anti-bullying and harassment film, available via the Department's Intranet, which aids awareness and supports training. Tailored workshop sessions are also run in individual business areas. Progress on addressing bullying and harassment is also monitored through annual and quarterly staff surveys.
Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will report on the results of the public consultation that has taken place on the provision of Revlimid as a treatment for those suffering from myeloma. [238753]
Dawn Primarolo: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising lenalidomide (Revlimid) for the treatment of multiple myeloma in people who have received at least one prior therapy. NICE issued its appraisal consultation document (ACD) for a period of public consultation which closed on 18 November 2008. The comments received are now being considered by NICE’s appraisal committee. Further information can be found on NICE’s website at:
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byID&o=11937
Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the (a) total cost and (b) unit cost per child of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme if it applied to all primary school children; [239238]
(2) what the unit cost of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme per child served by the scheme was in the last year for which data is available. [239239]
Dawn Primarolo: The unit cost of the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme is £20.48 per child per year and the estimated total cost of the scheme if applied to all primary school children is £83,968,000 based on 4.1 million primary school children.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England have been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder in the last 10 years. [227778]
Phil Hope: Information is not available in the requested format.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people under the age of 65 years are registered blind, broken down by (a) region and (b) constituency; and if he will make a statement. [239309]
Phil Hope: Data on the number of registered blind people is not collected centrally by constituency but is available for Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities and Government Office Regions.
The number of people under the age of 65 who registered with Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities as at 31 March 2008 as being blind (39,760) is almost 7 per cent. greater than at 31 March 2006 (937,250).
A table showing numbers by Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities and Government Office Regions has been placed in the Library.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2008, Official Report, column 1204W, on smoking, which specific projects are supported by his Department at regional level to reduce the rate of smoking amongst ethnic minority communities. [237682]
Dawn Primarolo: This information is not collected centrally.
A wide range of projects are run at national, regional and local level to reduce smoking prevalence among ethnic minority communities.
Examples of regionally funded projects are those with the Bangladeshi and Polish communities and with smokers who use water pipes.
The national health service and local authorities provide services and run projects with minority ethnic communities, in response to the needs of their local communities. The Department also produces information and provides telephone support for smokers from ethnic minorities.
Research and intelligence gathering activities commissioned by the Department on smoking cessation and wider tobacco control also include an ethnic component.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health trainers have been recruited from local communities to effect a reduction in smoking amongst ethnic minority groups in each year since 2004. [237703]
Dawn Primarolo: Health trainers are not recruited to be smoking cessation advisers. Their role is to work with individuals to assess their health and lifestyle risks, helping to build their motivation to change. Where appropriate they will signpost individuals to local smoking cessation services.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total budget is of the Asian Tobacco Helpline; and how many full-time staff are employed by the helpline. [237704]
Dawn Primarolo: In the financial year 2008-09 it is estimated that the total spend for the national health service Smoking Helpline will be £2.6 million. There are currently 33 staff who are fully trained to answer calls for this service, which is open seven days a week from 7 am to 11 pm.
It is estimated that the specific spend for the NHS Asian Tobacco Helplines will be £12,100.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which languages his Department provides resources designed to effect a reduction in smoking amongst ethnic minority groups. [237705]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department produces resources to help smokers to quit in the following languages: Albanian, Arabic, Belarusian, Bengali, Czech, Estonian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurmanji, Latvian, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Somali, Sorani, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese.
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department and its agencies has provided to local authorities on whether adults who smoke may be eligible to become foster parents. [235927]
Beverley Hughes I have been asked to reply.
The Fostering Services Regulations 2002 set out in detail the process for approving foster carers and require fostering services to conduct an assessment of the suitability of the prospective carer based on a range of prescribed information. The regulations require information about the health of the potential carer to be considered as part of this assessment, and while the regulations do not ban smokers from becoming foster carers, smoking is an issue which fostering providers would be expected to take into account as part of the approvals process.
Standard 12.1 of the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services requires of each fostering provider that it 'provides foster care services which help each child or young person in foster care to receive health care which meets her/his needs for physical, emotional and social development.'
It is for the fostering provider, taking account of the regulations and the National Minimum Standards, to decide whether a person is suitable or not to be approved as a foster carer and to foster a particular child or young person.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current NHS tariff rates are for (a) hip replacement, (b) stent and (c) gallbladder operations. [238267]
Mr. Bradshaw: The following tables show the 2008-09 tariffs for hip replacement and gallbladder operations.
There is no tariff for stent operations, as this is a device which is used within cardiac and other procedures. Tariffs for these procedures are published as part of the 2008-09 mandatory prices, which have been placed in the Library, and are available on the Department’s website at:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Managingyourorganisation/Financeandplanning/NHSFinancialReforms/DH_081226
The tariff prices provided below are net of the market forces factor (MFF). MFF is the mechanism through which the basic tariff price paid to hospitals is increased to take account of unavoidable local cost pressures.
| Hip replacement | |||
| HRG | Healthcare Resource Group (HRG) name | Elective spell tariff price (£) | Non-elective spell tariff price (£) |
|
Neck of femur fracture with hip replacement with complications | |||
|
Neck of femur fracture with hip replacement without complications | |||
| Gallbladder operations | |||
| HRG | Healthcare Resource Group (HRG) name | Elective spell tariff price (£) | Non-elective spell tariff price (£) |
|
Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) aged over 69 or with complications | |||
|
Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) aged under 70 without complications | |||
Tariff prices for other bladder-related procedures are published as part of the 2008-09 mandatory prices.
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many staff providing surgical equipment sterilising services to the NHS are employed by (a) NHS trusts and (b) private companies; [238414]
(2) how many NHS trusts have (a) in-house and (b) private suppliers under contracts for the provision of surgical equipment sterilising services. [238426]
Ann Keen: The information is not available in the format requested.
The number of staff providing surgical equipment sterilising services to the national health service, either employed directly by the NHS or by private companies, is not collected centrally.
The NHS provide information on contracted out services relating to sterile supply by NHS organisations excluding foundation trusts. For 2007-08, 27 organisations reported that they had at least one fully outsourced surgical equipment sterilising services contract.
Mr. Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times were for (a) heart and (b) cancer operations in Bolsover constituency in each year since 2001-02. [237898]
Ann Keen: The information is not collected in the format requested. However, figures for median days waited for a heart operation and finished consultant episodes where a heart operation was the main or secondary procedure where Derbyshire county primary care trust (PCT), or each of the forerunner organisations, was the PCT of responsibility are shown in the tables:
| Activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector | ||
| Median waiting time | Finished consultant episodes | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2124W—continued
| PCT of responsibility | Median waiting time | Finished consultant episodes | |
| Notes: 1. Prior to October 2006, Bolsover constituency was represented by North East Derbyshire PCT. On 1 October 2006 the number of Primary Care Organisations (PCOs) reduced from 303 to 152. Following the organisational changes, North East Derbyshire PCT was merged with five other trusts to make up Derbyshire County PCT. To enable better comparison, data has been provided for Derbyshire County PCT in 2006-07 and from 2001-02 to 2005-06 for all trusts that merged to make Derbyshire County PCT historically. This will include the following trusts and will mean the data provided will cover an area wider than the Bolsover constituency: Chesterfield PCT Amber Valley PCT North Eastern Derbyshire PCT Erewash PCT Derbyshire Dales and South Derbyshire PCT High Peak and Dales PCT 2. Waiting time statistics for the Department have been provided for the same parliamentary question in the past. I refer the hon. Member to the Answer of 30 October 2007, Official Report, column 1225W, on waiting lists, what the average waiting times were for (a) heart and (b) cancer operations in Bolsover constituency in each year since 2000-01. However, the Department has not collected waiting times data on a specialty level since September 2007, and therefore can no longer answer these questions on specific types of operation. 3. Following are the main differences between time waited and waiting time statistics: HES Time Waited Statistics measures time waited of those who have completed their wait (admitted over the course of the year) time waited includes periods where patient is either medically unfit (medical suspension) and/or periods when patient has made himself/herself unavailable for treatment (social suspension) measures the median or mean of a flow (see following for definition) calculates mean and median based on individual admissions—using time waited as the difference between date of decision to admit and date of admission Flaws include that there are a large number of invalid cases where either the date of decision to admit or date of date of admission (or both) are missing, and that there are further coding problems so that there are a large number of waiters with implausibly long waits. For example, in 2002-03 HES there were over 3,500 patients who waited longer than 1,000 days according to the HES coding, and of these 3,500 nearly 1,000 patients waited longer than 1,500 days. Korner (Department of Health) Waiting List Statistics measures time waiting of those who are still waiting (at a specific point in time i.e. end-month) discounts periods where patient is medically unfit (medical suspension) or unavailable for treatment (social suspension) measures the median or mean of a stock calculates means and medians based on waiting time bands therefore requires some degree of estimation, i.e. assumptions have to be made about distributions within time bands to calculate means and medians. 4. The most fundamental difference to understand is the difference between a stock and a flow. Korner reports waiting list stocks, HES reports waiting list flows. The difference between a stock and a flow is best illustrated through ghost waiters (a subset of those requiring urgent treatment). These are patients who are placed on an elective waiting list and who are admitted before the end of the calendar month in which they were placed on the list (they will usually have been clinically defined as urgent and hence are admitted rapidly). Such patients will be captured in the flow of patients but will not appear in any month end stock figures. 5. PCT of responsibility—A derived field providing the PCT responsible for the patient. Commissioning responsibility for individual patients rests with the PCT with whom the patient is registered. This means that patients with a general practitioner (GP) in one PCT area may reside in a neighbouring or other area but remain the responsibility of the PCT with whom their GP of registration is associated. PCTs are also responsible for non-registered patients who are resident within their boundaries. 6. Time waited (days)—Time waited statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period, whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. HES also calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension. 7. Finished Consultant Episode (FCE)—An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which the FCE finishes. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year. 8. Number of episodes with a (named) main or secondary procedure—These figures represent the number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) operative procedure fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one operative procedure field of the record. More procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients undergoing a ‘cataract operation’ would tend to have at least two procedures—removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one—counted in a single episode. 9. Main procedure—The main procedure is the first recorded procedure or intervention in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure or intervention performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main procedure when looking at admission details, (e.g. time waited), but a more complete count of episodes with a particular procedure is obtained by looking at the main and the secondary procedure. 10. Data quality—HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and PCTs in England. Data is also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 11. Assessing growth through time—HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. During the years that these records have been collected by the NHS there have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time. 12. Ungrossed data—Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in the data, i.e. the data are ungrossed. 13. FCEs where a heart operation was the main or secondary procedure have been provided to illustrate how may heart operations were being performed. FCEs will include all types of admissions to hospital including emergencies, whereas the data for time waited is only for those who were on an elective waiting list. 14. The median figures have been quoted in preference to mean as median figures are a better proxy to the average time waited. Mean figures can cloud the real picture if some anomalies (long-waiters) may be artificially increasing the average. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care | |||
HES has not been able to provide data on cancer operations. As confirmed by the NHS Classification Service the axis of Office of Population Census and Surveys-4 (OPCS-4) classification is body system and the majority of procedure codes remain the same regardless of the condition that is being treated. For example if a patient has a lesion removed from the skin of the eyelid, the OPCS-4 code would be the same whether the lesion was a mole or cancer. Therefore it is not possible to differentiate between ‘cancer operations’ and ‘non-cancer’ operations using OPCS-4. However you may be able to find the information you need from the Cancer Registry, who collect data specifically related to cancer.
Statistics on average waiting times for cancer patients and average waiting times for different types of cancer treatment are not collected centrally. Cancer waiting times’ standards of a maximum wait of 31 days from diagnosis to first cancer treatment, and a maximum wait of 62 days from urgent referral for suspected cancer to first cancer treatment were introduced for all cancer patients from December 2005. In the last quarter (April to June 2008) national performance against these standards was 99.6 per cent. and 97.1 per cent. respectively.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times were for (a) heart and (b) cancer operations in Hemel Hempstead constituency in each year since 2001-02. [239347]
Ann Keen: Data are not collected for the average waiting time for cancer operations.
Data for the average waiting time for heart operations are not available in the format requested. Data are collected at trust level. The data provided are for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust from 2001-02 to 2006-07. The data provided are the median days waited for a heart operation(1 )where the heart operation was the main procedure, and the number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) where a heart operation was the main or secondary procedure.
Mean and median days waited for a heart operation(2,4) where the heart operation was the main procedure and the number of finished consultant episodes(3) where a heart operation was the main or secondary procedure in West Hertfordshire Trust from 2001-02 to 2006-07.
| Median waiting time( 2) | Finished consultant episodes( 3) | |
| (1) Very few heart operations were performed in West Hertfordshire Trust between 2001-02 and 2002-03. Those heart operations that did take place were likely to be emergency procedures. (2) Time waited (days) Time waited statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period, whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension. (3) Finished consultant episode (FCE) A FCE is defined as a continuous period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FCEs are counted against the year in which the FCE finishes. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year. (4) Number of episodes with a (named) main or secondary procedure These figures represent the number of episodes where the procedure (or intervention) was recorded in any of the 24 (12 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and four prior to 2002-03) operative procedure fields in a Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) record. A record is only included once in each count, even if the procedure is recorded in more than one operative procedure field of the record. More procedures are carried out than episodes with a main or secondary procedure. For example, patients under going a ‘cataract operation’ would tend to have at least two procedures—removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one—counted in a single episode. Notes: 1. Main procedure The main procedure is the first recorded procedure or intervention in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure or intervention performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main procedure when looking at admission details, (e.g. time waited), but a more complete count of episodes with a particular procedure is obtained by looking at the main and the secondary procedure. 2. Changes to Coding Classifications—OPCS4 Operative procedure codes were revised for 2006-07 and 2007-08. 2007-08 data uses OPCS 4.4 codes, 2006-07 data uses OPCS 4.3 codes, data prior to 2006-07 uses OPCS 4.2 codes. All codes that were in OPCS 4.2 remain in later OPCS 4 versions, however the introduction of OPCS 4.3 codes enable the recording of interventions and procedures which were not possible in OPCS 4.2. In particular, OPCS 4.3 and OPCS 4.4 codes additionally include high cost drugs and diagnostic imaging, testing and rehabilitation. You may also find that some activity may have been coded under different codes in OPCS 4.2. These changes need to be borne in mind when analysing time series and may explain any trends over time. Care needs to be taken in using the newer codes as some providers of data were unable to start using the new codes at the beginning of each data year. The hon. Member can read more information about OPCS 4 changes on the Connecting for Health website: www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk. 3. Data Quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data are also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 4. Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. During the years that these records have been collected by the NHS there have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in out-patient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time. 5. Ungrossed Data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in the data, i.e. the data are ungrossed. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), the NHS Information Centre for health and social care | ||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2130W—continued
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many needlestick injuries to health care staff have been recorded in each trust in each of the last five years; [239846]
(2) how much time off work health care staff in each trust have taken due to needlestick injuries in the last 12 months. [239847]
Dawn Primarolo: Data on the number of days of absence relating to needlestick injuries to national health service staff is not collected centrally. However, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) collects information on surveillance of significant occupational exposures to blood borne viruses in health care workers in the United Kingdom; its latest report is available on the HPA’s website at:
http://www.camr.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1205394781623
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 13 June 2008, Official Report, columns 585-86W.
John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many strategic health authorities have met the Chair of the national venous thromboembolism (VTE) implementation working group to discuss their strategies for implementing VTE risk assessment in their hospitals; [238911]
(2) what measure is being used to assess the uptake by NHS acute trusts of the Chief Medical Officer's venous thromboembolism risk assessment tool; [238912]
(3) what plans he has to introduce a hospital admission code for patients readmitted to hospital with a deep vein thrombosis acquired following a hospital stay; [238913]
(4) what financial support his Department is supplying to the NHS venous thromboembolism exemplar centres; [238914]
(5) what the costs to the NHS of treating venous thromboembolism were in each of the last five years; [238915]
(6) whether he plans to recommend the inclusion of venous thromboembolism as a measurable indicator in the annual Healthcare Commission's Annual Health Check. [238916]
Dawn Primarolo: Dr. Anita Thomas, the chair of the venous thromboembolism (VTE) Implementation Working Group (IWG) has had discussions with four strategic health authorities since July 2008. We are currently looking at the options that are available for assessing the uptake of the Departments policy of a risk assessment on admission for all patients, and we also keep under review the necessary support for the Exemplar Centres as mentioned in the VTE Expert Working Group's report and the VTE strategy as a whole. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.
The IWG is working closely with Professor Jarman at Imperial College on VTE metrics and how these can be improved so that data collection is as effective and accurate as possible. The cost of VTE to the national health service was estimated at £640 million per year based on 2004 data. We do not have more recent data at present.
The annual health check reflects performance against the Government's priorities as set out in vital signs tier 1 and tier2. Vital signs can be found in Operational Plans 2008-09 to 2010-11. A copy of this document has been placed in the Library.
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prosecutions of (a) vending machine operators and (b) premises managers there have been for the sale of tobacco to minors from vending machines since the age of sale was raised to 18 years. [239211]
Dawn Primarolo: The Ministry of Justice does not keep separate data on sale of cigarettes to young people under 18. Figures on such prosecutions are included in overall data on prosecutions for under-age sale of tobacco. 2007 figures are not yet available. Trading standards departments do not prosecute routinely for such offences as the preferred approach is to advise and educate retailers and managers of premises where vending machines are sited.
However, a recent survey from the Local Authority Coordinators of Regulatory Services found that in over 40 per cent. of test purchases, children under 18 were able to access cigarettes from vending machines, with a number of local authorities reporting a 100 per cent. failure rate in test purchases from vending machines.
Vending machines remain a significant source of cigarettes for children who say they are regular smokers, with 17 per cent. of 11 to 15-year-old smokers reporting in 2006 that they are their usual source of cigarettes.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward legislative proposals to criminalise the purchase of tobacco on behalf of those under 18 years. [237637]
Dawn Primarolo: Legislation making it illegal to sell tobacco to young people under the age of 18 came into force on 1 October 2007.
The issue of making it illegal for young people to buy tobacco was considered by Parliament in the spring of 2008 during a debate on the tobacco provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008. An amendment to introduce such an offence was debated in both Houses and was subsequently withdrawn in the House of Lords. Serious concerns were expressed that this would unnecessarily criminalise young people. The issue was also included in the Department’s recent consultation on the future of tobacco control. Stakeholders were given an opportunity to submit their views on the issue and the results are being considered by Ministers.
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on research into the health effects on workers who were employed in the manufacture of mustard gas during the Second World War. [238626]
Dawn Primarolo: The Department holds no such information.
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what organisations for which his Department is responsible (a) use and (b) are planning to use Airwave handsets. [234703]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: No organisations for which the Department for Energy and Climate Change has responsibility either use or are planning to use Airwave handsets.
Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has offered compensation to EDF in exchange for the sale of land to potential new-build competitors at existing British Energy sites; and what discussions his Department has had with other shareholders in British Energy over the sale of British Energy to EDF. [239180]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 25 November 2008]: No. The undertaking agreed with EDF provides for it to release BE sites that would be surplus to its requirements and allows it to retain the proceeds of a sale and so the issue of compensation has not arisen. The only discussion that HMG has had with other shareholders in BE was a meeting held in August with Invesco, at Invesco’s request.
Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the Office of Fair Trading has contacted his Department concerning potential monopoly issues relating to the sale of British Energy and access to sites by competitors; and what discussions he has had with EDF over referring its buyout of British Energy to the EU Competition Commission. [239181]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 25 November 2008]: The Office of Fair Trading has not contacted my Department concerning potential monopoly issues relating the to sale of British Energy. In accordance with EU regulations, EDF has notified its proposed acquisition British Energy to the European Commission which is in the process of conducting an inquiry. EDF has kept my officials broadly informed about the process for seeking competition clearance.
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his most recent estimate is of the monetary value of the British Energy bonds held by the Nuclear Liabilities Fund. [234611]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The market value of the British Energy bonds held by the Nuclear Liabilities Fund was £208,345,642 as at September 2008.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the greenhouse gas emissions of the UK, including shipping and the UK's aviation sector, including domestic and international flights, were in the latest period for which figures are available. [227861]
Joan Ruddock: In 2006, the UK’s published emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol were estimated to be 652.3 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent. In 2007, these emissions were provisionally estimated to be 639.4 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent. The final results for 2007 are due to be published in January 2009.
The basket of greenhouse gases consists of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride, all of which are weighted by global warming potential (GWP). The GWP for each gas is defined as its warming influence relative to that of carbon dioxide. Emissions are presented as carbon dioxide equivalent, in line with international reporting and carbon trading protocols.
Reporting of greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol is based on emissions in the UK, and those Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man), and Overseas Territories (Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and Montserrat) that are party to the UK ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.
Greenhouse gas emissions from domestic aviation and shipping in 2006 were estimated at 2.5 and 5.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent respectively. There are no provisional estimates for 2007.
Emissions from international aviation and shipping can be estimated from refuelling from bunkers at UK airports and ports, whether by UK or non-UK operators. These are recorded as memo items in the UK’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory, as reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), but do not count towards national totals. There is no agreement on how, or whether, to allocate emissions from international aviation and shipping sources to individual countries.
In 2006, as memo items in the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory, UK greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation and shipping bunkers were estimated at 36 million tonnes and 6.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent respectively.
These figures are for total greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation and shipping bunkers and will differ from those figures which are given for carbon dioxide only. For example, the estimated 2006 figures for carbon dioxide emissions for international aviation and shipping bunkers are 35.6 and 6.8 million tonnes respectively.
I refer the hon. Member to the detailed statistics provided very recently in my answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, West and Royton (Mr. Meacher).
Mr. Ingram: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2008, Official Report, column 570W, on carbon emissions: Scotland, which individual projects based in Scotland have been funded under the UK Environmental Transformation Fund; how many Scotland-based projects are currently being considered for funding; and how much has been allocated to Scotland-based projects to date. [236128]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 20 November 2008]: DECC provides capital grant and other funding for the demonstration and pre-commercial deployment of low carbon and renewable energy technologies under the Environmental Transformation Fund, which has a budget of £400 million over the 2008-11 CSR period. This includes support for the Carbon Trust innovation portfolio. A number of existing BERR and DEFRA programmes were brought into the Environmental Transformation Fund when it started operating on 1 April 2008. The answer lists projects that were running on or after 1 April 2008 when the ETF was formally created.
Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 1
The following projects in Scotland received funding under Phase 1 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme to April 2008.
| Technology | |
The following numbers of grants have been paid to householders in Scotland to April 2008.
| Technology | Number |
In addition, there are £1,277,000 outstanding offers for 14 larger projects in Scotland made before 1 April 2008.
The following projects in Scotland received funding under Phase 1 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme from April 2008.
| Technology | |
The following numbers of grants have been paid to householders in Scotland from April 2008.
| Technology | Number |
£272,000 has been allocated to Scotland-based projects to April 2008. £11,000 has been allocated to Scotland-based projects from April 2008.
Only the Householder stream remains open for new projects. Instant decisions on funding are given.
Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2
The following projects in Scotland received funding under Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme to April 2008
Mid Annandale Playcare (MAP)
Moray Art Centre
Scottish Seabird Centre
Scottish Court Services
Scottish Court Services
The following projects in Scotland received funding under Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme from April 2008
Bankier Primary School
Scottish Seabird Centre
South Ayrshire Council
South Ayrshire Council
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2136W—continued
South Ayrshire Council
Dundee City Council, Architectural Services
47 Scotland-based projects are currently being considered for funding.
£405,000 has been allocated to Scotland-based projects to April 2008. £519,000 has been allocated to Scotland-based projects from April 2008.
The ETF is funding one Carbon Abatement Technologies project based in Scotland. This is a demonstration of a 40 MW Oxyfuel combustion system at Doosan Babcock’s Renfrew facility. Work on project started in September 2007 and is expected to run till 2012.
No other projects are currently being considered.
The ETF is funding two ongoing Offshore Wind projects based in Scotland. These are wind farms Robin Rigg (OERL) and Robin Rigg (SOL).
The following projects are based in Scotland: Novel Protection Methods for Active Distribution Networks with High Penetrations of Distributed Generation; Characterisation of Wind Power Output; Demand Side Participation; and UK Generic Distribution System and Planning and Operation of Active Distribution Networks. Devolved Activities
For areas of ETF activity where responsibility is devolved, which includes bio-energy, anaerobic digestion, and Energy Saving Trust and Carbon Trust activities, schemes are restricted to activities in England. Carbon Trust and Energy Saving Trust have separate funding arrangements with Devolved Administrations.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what percentage of emissions reductions in the EU power sector from a 1990 baseline he estimates will arise (a) as a result of reductions in EU domestic emissions from this sector and (b) as a result of the purchase of clean development mechanism or joint implementation credits. [238729]
Joan Ruddock:
It is not possible to estimate the exact levels of EU emissions reductions that have been made against a 1990 baseline in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). This is because data from 1990 on emissions from the power sector does not correlate exactly to the emissions which have been included in the EU ETS power sector from 2005. To determine this
would require a detailed breakdown of 1990 emissions data in all member states, which we do not have access to. Moreover, there is no sector specific cap for the power sector in Phase III of the EU ETS so again it would not be possible to calculate effort specifically attributable to that sector.
For the same reasons we cannot determine the precise level of reductions attributed to the power sector since 1990 that have been achieved through the Clean Development Mechanism.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the percentage of total effort required under (a) EU effort sharing arrangements and (b) the EU Emissions Trading Scheme between 2013 and 2020 which could be delivered through the purchase of clean development mechanism or joint implementation credits. [238730]
Joan Ruddock: For a 20 per cent. EU reduction target, 35 per cent. of the absolute emissions reductions required from the UK non-traded sector over the period 2013-20 (against 2005) could be met through project credits under the proposed greenhouse gas (GHG) Effort Sharing Decision. However, this does not mean that the UK would necessarily make use of this facility. For a 30 per cent. target, the Commission’s proposal allows for half the additional reduction to be met through project credits.
In the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) it is not possible to accurately predict what absolute emissions reductions will be required over the period 2013-20. This is because installations in the EU ETS can “bank” access to project credits from Phase II (2008-12) into Phase III (2013-20). Looking across the whole period (2008-20), for a 20 per cent. EU target, 45 per cent. of the absolute emissions reductions required from all EU sectors in the EU ETS over the period 2008-20 (against 2005) can be met through project credits. For a 30 per cent. target, the Commission’s proposal allows for half the additional reduction to be met through project credits in the EU ETS.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the carbon price which will enable commercial deployment of carbon capture and storage technology to take place in the UK. [234111]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The carbon price which will enable commercial deployment of carbon capture and storage technology in the UK depends on several variables, including (a) how much demonstration projects succeeded in confirming the technical performance of the technology, (b) the scale of cost reductions gained from economies of scale and learning, and (c) the cost of fossil fuels.
Modelling undertaken by DECC suggests that CCS deployment at £40-£60/tCO2, however the early stage of development of the technology and the variables outlined above that will affect this figure mean that there is significant uncertainty surrounding this range.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruits to be served by his Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers. [239727]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the oral statement of 20 October 2008, Official Report, column 23, on the European Council, what the evidential basis is for his statement that the United Kingdom cannot fulfil its climate change aspirations without nuclear power. [232157]
(1) http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file39525.pdf
(2) http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file48514.pdf
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Nuclear will be an important part of an affordable climate change policy for the UK. In the face of climate change and our 80 per cent. target, we need all low carbon energy technologies available in the mix. Not having nuclear as an option would increase the costs of delivering our energy goals and increase the risks of failing to meet our targets for reducing emissions. In the absence of nuclear power, and if carbon capture and storage is not a viable or technical option, the costs of generating the UK’s electricity could increase by up to 40 per cent.
Both the consultation document, “The Future of Nuclear Power” and the Nuclear White Paper are evidence bases for the Government’s decision that it is in the public interest to give energy companies the option of investing in nuclear power stations. The Department published a cost-benefit analysis of nuclear power(1) at the time of the 2006 Energy Review. The recently published DECC energy and emissions projections(2) provide further support for these assumptions.
Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what additional (a) personal and (b) financial resources his Department has allocated to addressing climate change in accordance with the undertaking given in the Written Ministerial Statement on 23 January 2008, Official Report, column 52 WS, on the new Strategic Framework. [237449]
David Miliband: In accordance with the new Strategic Framework for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), I have substantially increased the resources devoted to addressing climate change at the FCO. The Climate Change and Energy programme budget in the FCO's Strategic Programme Fund has been increased from £4.7 million in financial year 2007/08 to £10 million for financial year 2008/09, £16 million for financial year 2009/10 and £21 million for financial year 2010/11. Additionally, the FCO has increased the number of staff working to deliver climate change and energy objectives. A new financial resource of £0.8 million has been provided to create 19 new positions in London. An extra £5.7 million for diplomatic missions in priority countries has created 32.5 new positions for British diplomats on postings, and 73 positions for locally engaged members of staff.
I have personally invested more time in this priority issue, stepping up the frequency of my discussions on climate change with counterparts and wider stakeholders and will continue to do so, in co-ordination with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, in advance of the critical Framework Convention on Climate Change of Parties at Copenhagen in December 2009.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much surplus land the Coal Authority owns, expressed in (a) area and (b) estimated monetary value. [238693]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Coal Authority owns 5.59 hectares of surplus land with an estimated book value of £334,786 as at 31 March 2008.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans there are for each of the sites owned by the Coal Authority which are registered on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land; what construction projects are planned for each site; and when he expects each site to be returned to use. [238694]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Although the Coal Authority has no immediate plans for those sites in its ownership which appear on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land, it does ultimately have a statutory duty to make such sites available for acquisition by others and, in doing so, to secure the best terms reasonably available.
Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the average cost per tonne of imported coal was in 2007. [239273]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: In 2007, the value of coal (and other solid fuels) imports was provisionally £2,072.3 million, while the volume of coal (and other solid fuels) imports was 43.9 million tonnes. This gives an average cost of £47.20 per tonne of imported coal (and other solid fuels).
Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the effect on the balance of payments of coal imports and exports was in 2007. [239274]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: In 2007, the value of coal (and other solid fuel) imports was provisionally £2,072.3 million. The value of exports was provisionally £65.3 million. This gives a net effect of-£2,007 million on the balance of payments.
Value of imports figures are only available for coal and other solid fuels combined.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the rate of staff (a) absence and (b) sickness absence in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its non-departmental public bodies has been since its inception; what the target rates set for his Department are in each case; and if he will make a statement. [239134]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), which was formed on 3 October 2008, will consist of posts taken from the existing Departments for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (DEFRA). Information for this question is covered by the BERR and DEFRA responses. There are on-going negotiations to determine the overall functions of and staff numbers for the Department and which additional regulators, inspectorates, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) might become the responsibility of the Department. It is not possible to identify what the rate of absence and sickness absence is in DECC and its NDPBs until these negotiations are complete. The Department has not at this stage set target rates for absences or sick absences.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies have spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239136]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department for Energy and Climate Change was formed on 3 October 2008, before which its expenditure and that of its non-departmental public bodies was the responsibility of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Discussions to determine the functions transferring to the Department, including which non-departmental public bodies become its responsibility, are progressing well but are not yet complete.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether food and drink on sale to staff of (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds. [237415]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was formed on 3 October 2008. Negotiations with BERR and DEFRA on the machinery of government changes are ongoing. Catering arrangements for DECC premises will be determined once negotiations are complete. DECC staff in 3-8 Whitehall Place, Atholl House and temporary accommodation in 1 Victoria Street and Ergon House at present make use of the BERR and DEFRA catering services in these premises, the arrangements for which will be covered in BERR’s and DEFRA’s answers to this question.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department's non-departmental bodies since his Department's inception; and if he will make a statement. [239137]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: With a couple of exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office "Public Bodies" publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies has spent on external consultancy since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [239135]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department for Energy and Climate Change was formed on 3 October 2008, before which its expenditure and that of its non-departmental public bodies was the responsibility of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Discussions to determine the functions transferring to the Department, including which non-departmental public bodies become its responsibility, are progressing well but are not yet complete.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many employees in his Department have taken early retirement since its inception; and at what total cost. [238958]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), which was formed on 3 October 2008, will consist of posts transferred from the existing Departments for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (DEFRA). The detail is still being worked on, but staff will come to DECC from Energy Group in BERR and Climate Change Group in DEFRA. No DECC staff have taken early retirement since the formation of the Department.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has spent on (a) flat screen televisions, (b) DVD players and (c) stereo equipment since its creation. [237432]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was formed on 3 October 2008. Since its formation, the Department has spent £1,039.90 on flat screen televisions and DVD players. Please note that this expenditure was also included in DEFRA’s response to this question.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for which Government websites his Department is responsible; how many visitors each has received since his Department's creation; and what the cost of maintaining each site was in that period. [235043]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), which was formed on 3 October 2008. Negotiations with BERR and DEFRA on the machinery of government changes are ongoing. Website arrangements for DECC functions will be determined once negotiations are complete. In the interim, the DECC website (www.decc.gov.uk) is currently hosted on the DEFRA internet platform. Websites for Energy and Climate Change issues continue, for the present, to be hosted on the BERR and DEFRA internet platforms respectively, as they were prior to the formation of DECC. As such, DECC has not incurred any costs, separate from those incurred by BERR and DEFRA, for site maintenance. It has not been possible to separate the number of visitors to the DECC website from the total number of visitors to websites on the DEFRA internet platform.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2141W—continued
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he plans to appoint a Departmental Chief Scientific Adviser. [236493]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Given the significant role of science in our work on energy and climate change, the Department will be appointing a dedicated Chief Scientific Adviser. We will be running an open application process for the post to allow all interested candidates to apply in due course.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff has been since his Department's creation. [237318]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has one full-time equivalent member of staff engaged in assisting special advisers. It is not possible to provide information on the cost of this staff member as to reveal the cost could identify an individual’s salary, which is confidential between the individual and the employer.
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many permanent staff in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies are classified as (i) staff without posts and (ii) part of a people action team. [236735]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), which was formed on 3 October 2008, will consist of posts taken from the existing Departments for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (DEFRA). The detail is still being worked on, but approximately 500 staff will come to DECC from Energy Group in BERR and 400 from Climate Change Group in DEFRA. It is not possible to answer this question until the detail of the staff transfers has been agreed.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department uses the Royal Mail as the primary company for sending its post, parcels and packages. [238123]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was formed on 3 October 2008. Negotiations with BERR and DEFRA on the Machinery of Government changes are ongoing. Provision of mail services for DECC will be determined once negotiations are complete. DECC staff in 3-8 Whitehall Place, Atholl House and temporary accommodation in 1 Victoria Street and Ergon House at present make use of the BERR and DEFRA mail services, both of whom currently use the Royal Mail as their primary provider of mail services.
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will publish a list of names and addresses of each organisation that supplied goods or services to his Department since its creation. [236785]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract. [239647]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: I know of none since the formation of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2008, Official Report, column 455W, on public bodies, by what date he expects the negotiations to determine which regulators, inspectorates, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies are to become the responsibility of his Department to be completed. [236583]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Negotiations on the machinery of government changes, as they affect the Department of Energy and Climate Change, are continuing. These negotiations should be completed in time to allow the spring supplementary estimates to be finalised early in 2009.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what Public Service Agreements his Department is (a) a formal delivery partner and (b) a contributor. [236599]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Cabinet Office Paper in the House Library “Machinery of Government: economy, business, climate change, energy and environment” sets out much of this information. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) took on responsibility for the public service agreement (PSA) to lead the global effort to avoid dangerous climate change. This PSA was transferred to DECC on its formation on 3 October 2008. Negotiations on the machinery of government changes, as they affect DECC and its PSAs, are continuing.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he plans to recruit staff from the private energy sector. [230621]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), which was formed on 3 October 2008, will consist of posts taken from the existing Departments for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (DEFRA). The detail is still being worked on, but once this has been agreed, it will be possible to determine DECC’s recruitment requirements and policy.
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2008, Official Report, columns 553-554W, on departmental special advisers, from which department's budget the Special Representative on Energy Issues will draw expenses. [232349]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Special Representative of the Prime Minister on International Energy Issues will be entitled to claim reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred as part of his work. These expenses will normally be drawn from the Department of Energy and Climate Change and paid in accordance with existing departmental guidelines on allowances and subsistence.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many questions for written answer have been tabled to his Department since its creation; and how many have been (a) answered substantively and (b) not answered on grounds of disproportionate cost. [235396]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The information, which is available on the Parliamentary Information Management System, was, at 24 November 2008, as follows:-
Number of questions tabled to DECC: 613
Number answered: 386
Number still to answer: 227
None of the questions answered received a reply citing disproportionate costs.
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress has been made on the package of energy measures announced by the Prime Minister on 11 September 2008. [232854]
Joan Ruddock: The Government have made good progress with the various elements of the package announced by the Prime Minister.
A key aspect of the announcement was a 20 per cent. uplift to the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target. This is estimated to lever an additional £560 million of energy supplier investment in the energy efficiency of housing stock in Great Britain to 2011. We will consult shortly on the legislative changes needed to enact this. In the meantime, we have been working closely with energy suppliers and the insulation industry to maximise action this winter—meaning that insulation activity is some 70 per cent. higher than for the same period last year.
As part of the package the Government also announced an additional £74 million for the Warm Front scheme. The scheme managers are carrying out household surveys and we estimate that the additional investment will deliver up to 9,000 central heating systems and 5,000 insulation measures by Christmas.
We have launched a major communications campaign: “Save Money, Save Energy, Act on CO2”, with an intensive first stage running from 17 September to the end of November. This includes adverts on TV, online, radio and in national newspapers encouraging people to save money on their fuel bills by becoming more
energy efficient. It also encourages people to call the Government-funded Act on CO2 helpline, run by the Energy Saving Trust (EST). Following the announcement, the EST took 89,000 calls in September (against 27,000 in September 2007), and 92,000 calls in October (against 33,000 in October 2007).
The amendments to primary legislation needed to take forward the new Community Energy Savings Programme have been included in the Climate Change Bill.
And, as a result of the individual voluntary agreements negotiated between the Government and the energy suppliers under which they are providing increased social assistance to their vulnerable customers, over 770,000 customer accounts have already been put onto a discounted tariff—roughly double the number since this time last year.
Jobcentre Plus is on course to launch the first stage of the Energy Efficiency Employment Initiative at the end of November. It will provide access to information and training that will help more people to secure insulation related jobs. Similar routes are being developed to improve access to other energy related jobs.
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will set out the programme of events which his Department has organised or participated in during Energy Saving Week; what resources were committed to this programme; and what plans he has to evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign. [230017]
Joan Ruddock: This year's Energy Saving Trust (EST) Energy Saving Week took place from 20 to 26 October.
DECC grant funds the Energy Saving Trust year-on-year, supporting the valuable work it undertakes to tackle climate change through the reduction of household carbon dioxide emissions, which includes their awareness-raising work in Energy Saving Week. DECC's participation in the events of the week included a visit to the Department from EST's Home Energy Doctor. Representatives provided a plasma screen presentation in the Nobel House foyer and spent the day talking with staff from DECC and DEFRA, advising them how they could save money by making their homes and lifestyles more energy efficient.
In addition, I have been writing an Energy Saving Week diary on the EST website. The diary is updated daily and is very informative, providing a personal account of how I balance energy saving around my life and busy work schedule.
EST operates a continuing evaluation programme to monitor the effectiveness of its activities, including this campaign.
Ed Miliband contributed a quote to the Energy Savings Trust national press release.
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) the Heads of Agreement for the Energy Technologies Institute and (b) any contracts the Government has with the Institute. [234570]
Mr. Simon: I have been asked to reply.
I do not propose to place these documents in the Library. The documents are confidential to members of the partnership.
Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to promote as an energy-saving measure the (a) development and (b) use of washing powder that utilises cold water. [235818]
Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
The Government are firmly committed to improving energy efficiency in the UK and DEFRA’s Market Transformation Programme (MTP) works to bring forward products that use less energy, water and other resources.
The Government are aware that detergents have been developed in recent years that are effective at lower temperatures and MTP has conducted initial investigations into the energy saving potential from using 30° C washes. While there will be further energy savings to be made from washes at even lower temperatures, further research is required to compare these to the embedded CO2 from the manufacture and disposal of detergents.
Further research would also be required to assess the capacity of washing machines to wash at cold temperatures and to ascertain whether there could be any other unintended consequences.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what work is expected to be carried out by the Special Representative of the Prime Minister on International Energy Issues; and if he will make a statement. [231592]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Special Representative of the Prime Minister on International Energy Issues will work with me to analyse global trends in energy supply and demand and energy security and their implications for UK, European and global policy.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many social tariff accounts were available to consumers of each energy supply company in each of the last three years; and how many customers of each company were on social tariffs. [235322]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Ofgem published its first review of suppliers “Voluntary Initiative to Help Vulnerable Customers” on 6 August 2007, which covered the period to July 2007. Ofgem updated this report in October 2007. Both reports can be found online at:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/CSR/Documentsl/Review%20of%20suppliers%20voluntary%20initiatives.pdf
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/CSR/Documents1/CSR_update_open_letter_23507.pdf
The October update report shows that the number of gas and electricity customer accounts on suppliers’ social tariffs per suppliers was around:
| Supplier | Number (as at 31 August 2007) |
Following the announcement in Budget 2008, energy suppliers agreed in April, to increase how much they are spending on social programmes. This year they will be spending collectively £100 million, rising to £125 million in 2009-10 and £150 million in 2010-11. Suppliers have only provided forecast numbers for the first time for 2008, which shows around 600,000 customer accounts are expected to be on social tariffs this winter. The actual number of customer accounts on social tariffs during the first year of the voluntary agreement will be published in Ofgem’s next reporting cycle in 2009.
Ofgem will shortly be publishing a report on suppliers’ social programmes, which will show the number of customer accounts, by each supplier, on social tariffs, to the end of March 2008.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2147W—continued
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what (a) Civil Service support and (b) office space will be given to the special representative on international energy issues; and what expenses the representative will be able to claim. [229195]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Special Representative of the Prime Minister on International Energy Issues will support me and the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and will receive support from my Department in his role. He will be entitled to claim reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred as part of his work.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to decide on the roll-out of the smart meter programme; and if he will make a statement. [227383]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Government announced on 28 October their plan to roll out smart meters to all domestic customers, 28 October 2008, Official R eport, House of Lords, column 1515, along with an indicative timetable of around two years to design and establish the full details of a roll-out followed by a ten year roll-out period.
In the Budget 2008 the Government announced the roll-out of advanced metering to larger business customers over a five-year period, beginning early in 2009. A consultation on the provision of smart and advanced metering for remaining businesses customers closed on 17 October. The Government will respond soon.
Mr. Ingram: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the average annual cost per domestic energy consumer of the subsidies provided by his Department to the renewable energy sector. [230028]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 28 October 2008]: The Government's main mechanism for supporting renewable generation is the Renewables Obligation (RO). Ofgem, who administer the RO, have calculated the annual cost of the RO for 2008-09 to be around £10 per customer. This information, along with details of other measures to tackle climate change, can be found at:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Media/FactSheets/Documents1/energy%20prices%20jan08pdf.
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the European Commission on the environmental effects of travel by MEPs and officials from Brussels to Strasbourg for plenary sessions of the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [239820]
Joan Ruddock: Ministers and officials have regular discussions with Commissioners and officials in the European Commission on a range of topics. In particular, at present negotiations are continuing on the Commission’s Climate and Energy Package which will deliver the 2020 emissions reductions targets agreed at the 2007 spring European Council. The environmental effects of all travel within the EU will be addressed once the package is agreed.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what projects have received funding from the Environmental Transformation Fund since its inception. [236598]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: DECC provides capital grant and other funding for the demonstration and pre-commercial deployment of low carbon and renewable energy technologies under the Environmental Transformation Fund, which has a budget of £400 million over the 2008-11 CSR period. A number of existing BERR and DEFRA programmes were brought into the Environmental Transformation Fund when it started operating on 1 April 2008. The answer lists projects that were running on or after 1 April 2008 when the ETF was formally created.
The ETF is funding two ongoing Biomass projects: Eccleshall Biomass, Farming for Energy; and Balcas Limited.
The ETF is funding one carbon abatement technologies capital project. This is a demonstration of a 40 MW Oxyfuel combustion system at Doosan Babcock's Renfrew facility. Work on the project started in September 2007 and is expected to run until 2012.
The ETF is funding the following carbon abatement technologies resource projects:
Advanced Materials for low Emission Power plant: Development of UGG for Power Generation;
A Study of the Reaction Chemistry in the production of hydrogen from coal using a novel process concept;
A study of the release of trace elements during combustion and gasification under conditions relevant to power technology in China;
Development of a UK Capability for Monitoring and Verification of CO2 Geological Storage within the EC—(CO2ReMoVe);
Development of a UK Capability for Long-Term Performance Assessment of CO2 Geological Storage within the CO2GeoNet Network of excellence—(CO2GeoNet);
Development of a UK Capability for Long-Term Performance Assessment of CO2 Geological Storage within the EC-(CO2RemoVe);
Monitoring, Reporting and Verification Guidelines for CCS under EU ETS—Extension of Methodology to Enhanced Oil Recovery;
Chinese Advanced Power Plant Carbon Capture Options (CAPPCCo); and
UK-China Cooperation for Technology Transfer to Establish the Co-Utilisation of Waste Biomass with Coal.
In addition to the above we are providing funding to British Coal Utilisation Research Association Limited (BCURA) which amounts to £256,000 between 2008 and 2011. This money goes to BCURA to help in their role alongside industry in funding R and D projects in universities. There are currently 11 projects running which are being funded by BCURA. Our arrangement with BCURA will come to an end in 2011.
The hydrogen and fuel cell projects that have received funding from the Environmental Transformation Fund since its inception are:
Remote welfare cabin (Voller);
London Bus Services Ltd—buses;
Penner Road CHP (Scottish and Southern Energy); and
Microcab demonstration for zero emission campus.
Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 1
The following projects have received funding under Phase 1 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme since April 2008.
| Organisation Name | Technologies |
The following numbers of grants have been paid to householders since April 2008.
| Technology | Number |
£9.6 million of grants allocated before April 2008 are currently outstanding for 176 larger projects. £82,000 of grants allocated before April 2008 to householders are currently outstanding for 87 installations.
Only the Householder stream remains open for new projects. £2.9 million under this stream has been allocated to projects since April 2008.
Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2
A list of projects that have received funding under Phase 2 of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme since April 2008 has been placed in both Libraries of the House.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2150W—continued
Bio-energy Capital Grants and Bio-energy Infrastructure Schemes
12 projects have received a total of 16 grant payments, totalling £283,000.
The ETF is funding eight ongoing offshore wind projects with grants to the following wind farms: Kentish Flats; Barrow Offshore; Robin Rigg (OERL); Robin Rigg (SOL); Gunfleet; Inner Dowsing; Lynn Offshore; and Rhyl Flats.
The following projects are running: Wind turbine experimental rig; Novel Protection Methods for Active Distribution Networks with High Penetrations of Distributed Generation; Characterisation of Wind Power Output; Demand Side Participation; Investment, access and pricing of transmission in systems with significant penetration of wind power; UK Generic Distribution System and Planning and Operation of Active Distribution Networks; Analysis of system operation in systems with significant penetration of renewable generation; Update of offshore GB SQSS; Multi - terminal DC Transmission Systems for Offshore Wind; and Dynamic Economical and Environmental Impact of Dynamic Demand in Frequency Response Services and Grid integration of Wind Generation. The total value of grants is £940,000.
£47.4 million has been allocated to the Carbon Trust's technology programmes in 2008-09, including more funding for their SME loan scheme and the similar scheme in the public sector operated by Salix Finance Ltd.
ETF funding is provided to the Carbon Trust as part of their annual grant funding from DECC. It is used to fund activities in the following areas:
Innovations: development of commercially promising low carbon technologies through partnerships, funding, expert advice and large-scale demonstrations;
Enterprises: creation of new, high-growth, low-carbon businesses;
Investments: finance for emerging clean energy technology businesses that demonstrate commercial potential;
Insights: explaining the issues and opportunities surrounding climate change and carbon reduction, and developing low carbon strategies that engage Government and business;
Loans: interest free loan scheme, which offers loans of up to £200,000 for SMEs installing energy efficient equipment;
Public sector loans: public sector "invest to save" schemes for energy efficiency (delivered by Salix finance);
Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme: promotion and management of the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme for energy saving technologies, which provides enhanced tax relief for businesses investing in designated energy efficient equipment.
As at the end of October, the Carbon Trust had claimed £17 million of the £47.4 million ETF funding for 2008-9 and this has been spent as follows:
| Total expenditure (1 April to 31 October) (£ million) | |
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the merits of extending the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to cover surface transport; and if he will make a statement. [230059]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: A UK Government discussion paper setting out some of the issues associated with road transport’s potential inclusion in the EU ETS was published on 24 May 2007 and can be found at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/climatechange/euemistrascheme.
The European Commission's January 2008 proposal on revising the ETS directive stated that further analysis of the costs and benefits of extending the support to surface transport was needed, before deciding whether this was the most appropriate way of tackling rising emissions from this sector. As a result the Review does not recommend the inclusion of surface transport in the ETS from phase 3 (2013 to 2020).
Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on what basis his Department set the quantity of emission allowances to be auctioned in the second stage of the European Emissions Trading Scheme; for what reasons his Department has not auctioned the maximum number of allowances possible at this stage; what additional revenue he estimates he would have received from such an auction; and if he will make a statement. [239549]
Joan Ruddock [holding answer 25 November 2008]: The Government published a consultation on the proportion of allowances to be auctioned in Phase II of EU ETS in March 2006 and our response in August 2006. This set out our decision to auction or sell 7 per cent. of the overall UK emissions cap. Our decision took account of the consultation responses as well as the final level of the cap and total number of allowances to be allocated in Phase II. This means that 86 million allowances will be auctioned during the period 2008 to 2012.
Up to an additional 36.9 million allowances could be sold during the phase because allowances from closures and any surplus new entrant reserve will be added to the auctioning ‘pot’ up to the maximum 10 per cent. of the cap (120 million allowances) allowed by the directive to be sold by member states. Any surplus allowances above this limit will be cancelled.
These arrangements are set out in detail in the UK's National Allocation Plan for Phase II which has been submitted to the European Commission and approved under the terms of the directive.
It is not Government policy to speculate on revenues from EU ETS auctions.
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people in receipt of mobility benefit received (a) discounts on their bills and (b) assistance in another form from energy companies in the last 12 months. [238259]
Joan Ruddock: Energy suppliers voluntarily provide a range of social assistance to households vulnerable to fuel poverty, including discounts on their bills. Following the announcement in Budget 2008, energy suppliers agreed in April, to increase how much they are spending on social programmes. This year they will be spending collectively £100 million, rising to £125 million in 2009-10 and £150 million in 2010-11. This will be spent on a number of initiatives including social tariffs, rebates and trust funds. A breakdown to show recipients of this help per benefit is not available.
Ofgem monitors suppliers’ social assistance and published a review of this in August 2007 which was updated in October 2007. Both reports can be found online at:
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk//Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/CSR/Documentsl/Review%20of%20suppliers%20voluntary%20initiatives.pdf
http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/CSR/Documentsl/CSRupdateopenletter23507.pdf
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much the average annual fuel bill for households in Scotland has changed in each of the last 10 years. [239263]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 25 November 2008]: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2008, Official Report, column 1333W, on meat and dairy consumption, what the timescale is for the work being undertaken to establish the extent to which all points in the meat production chain contribute to greenhouse gas emissions; what steps he intends to take once that work is completed; and what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the UN's estimate that 18 per cent. of global greenhouse gas emissions are related to animal production. [237638]
Jane Kennedy: Emissions from agriculture and livestock production and consumption are very complex and our aim is to continue to improve our knowledge over time.
Our work to tackle emissions from meat production includes a workstream on agriculture and climate change which aims to enable the agriculture, forestry and land management sector (which includes livestock farming) to fulfil its potential in contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation. As part of this we are looking to establish a cost-effective package of policy measures to help reduce emissions. This will inform the sector’s contribution to meeting the UK's carbon budgets under the Climate Change Bill. This work is supported by a strong programme of research (around £5 million per year), which includes studies on ruminant nutrition regimes to reduce methane and nitrogen emissions from
livestock, research to improve the productivity of dairy cattle and a study to assess the level and type of farming activity in the livestock sector that UK resources can sustain in order to reach UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ammonia targets.
The Government have made no official assessment of the 18 per cent. global estimate from the Food and Agricultural Organisation report Livestock's Long Shadow. We note however that it includes life-cycle emissions associated with livestock production and consumption. These emissions include not only emissions from enteric fermentation and agricultural waste disposal, but also emissions associated with feed production and from deforestation related to livestock production. The uncertainties with estimates of this type are significant, but the order of magnitude of the emission estimates is likely to be correct.
The most recent available GHG Inventory for the UK shows that direct emissions from livestock were 3.1 per cent. of total emissions in 2006.
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the proportion of efficiency measures installed under the (a) Warm Front scheme and (b) Home Energy Efficiency scheme which were installed in rural areas. [234715]
Joan Ruddock: Action to tackle fuel poverty is a devolved matter, as such this response is restricted to action undertaken in England (under the Warm Front Scheme) only.
The following table illustrates the proportions of measures delivered, through the Warm Front Scheme, in rural and urban households presented as a percentage split of all measures delivered between 1 April 2005 and 30 March 2008. Rural definitions follow closely those used by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Percentages for urban households are derived by subtracting figures for rural households from total measures provided.
| Measure category | Rural households | Urban households |
Mr. Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many boiler replacement grants awarded through the Warm Front scheme have included monies for maintenance insurance provided by Eaga plc. [236512]
Joan Ruddock: No boiler replacement grants awarded through the Warm Front scheme have included monies for maintenance insurance provided by Eaga.
Two years of cover and two annual service visits are applied to all gas boiler replacements provided through the Warm Front Scheme. However, neither are paid for by individual household grant monies. Householder contributions for measures above the grant limit are not related to funding for maintenance or aftercare assistance.
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many applicants for a Warm Front grant aged (a) under and (b) over 60 years who were informed that they would need to pay a contribution (i) took up the grant and (ii) did not proceed in each year since the introduction of the scheme. [236740]
Joan Ruddock: The following tables illustrate the number of households assisted by the Warm Front Scheme where the eligible householder was either (a) under or (b) over 60 years of age, of these how many were asked to contribute to the cost of work and of these how many have (i) paid this contribution and (ii) those that did not proceed, as at 27 October 2008.
| Contribution requests made (under 60s only) | ||||
| Scheme year | Assisted households (under 60s only) | Paid | Did not proceed | Total |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2155W—continued
| Contribution requests made (over 60s only) | ||||
| Scheme year | Assisted households (over 60s only) | Paid | Did not proceed | Total |
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the average contribution requested from householders assisted under the Warm Front scheme was in (a) Suffolk and (b) England since the inception of contributions. [240003]
Joan Ruddock: The average contributions up until 27 October 2008 (the latest time for which figures are available) are as follows:
| Average contribution (£) | |
The figures shown are representative of the contributions requested during the second phase of Warm Front, beginning in 2005. Contributions were requested prior to this time but the data retained by the new scheme manager does not permit me to provide the figures required.
Mr. Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which contractors the Warm Front scheme uses in the East Midlands. [238078]
Joan Ruddock: The following list illustrates the contractors registered with the Warm Front Scheme who are contracted to carry out work in the East Midlands.
Better Plumbing Services Ltd.
BGC Gas Services Ltd.
Blue Flag Ltd.
East Coast Gas Services
Fenhams Contracts
Heating Efficiency Systems Ltd.
Heating Solutions
Iguana
Interglow (Contracts) Ltd.
JJ Crump
Johnson and Starley
Kershaw Contracting Services Ltd.
KHI Ltd
Lionheart Heating Services Ltd.
Mark Insulations
Miller Pattison
Eaga Home Services
Paul Brant Plumbing and Heating
Perry Electrical Ltd.
Smethwick Energy Action
Staywarm Insulation
Sun Realm Heating Co. Ltd.
Westville Ltd.
Mr. Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many claims for (a) miners' hearing loss, (b) vibration white finger and (c) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were paid in Bolsover constituency in each of the last six years. [238667]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The following table shows how many miner's claims have been settled by payment for noise induced hearing loss, vibration white finger and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Bolsover constituency in each of the last six years.
| NIHL | VWF | COPD | |
Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what grants his Department makes available to meet the cost of insulation in older properties without cavity walls; and what additional grants are likely to be available under the recently announced special energy efficiency scheme in the next two years. [228521]
Joan Ruddock: Warm Front is the Government’s main programme for tackling fuel poverty in vulnerable households in the private sector through the provision of heating, insulation and energy efficiency measures. Currently Warm Front provides grants for both cavity wall and loft insulation. However, Warm Front does have mechanisms in place for assessing alternative technologies, with a particular emphasis on those that can assist hard to treat properties. As part of these processes Warm Front is currently reviewing whether there are solid wall insulation products in the marketplace which are appropriate for the scheme. However, Warm Front will only integrate a new technology onto the scheme following a full assessment of its suitability, which will look at factors such as energy savings, installer and manufacturer capacity, customer satisfaction and the cost of installation.
Finding innovative, cost effective and attractive ways of insulating hard to treat homes will be core to both our carbon saving and fuel poverty alleviation ambitions. The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), although specifically designed to deliver carbon savings as cost effectively as possible, includes incentives to encourage suppliers to promote more costly measures appropriate for hard to treat homes, such as solid wall insulation. This has resulted in some 40,000 solid wall homes benefiting from insulation in the last three years, with a further 100,000 expected to be treated by 2011.
Mr. Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will amend the Government’s insulation scheme for disabled householders to cover households with disabled children. [239187]
Joan Ruddock: It has not been possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many low energy light bulbs have been distributed without charge at the expense of the public purse to pensioners in (a) the London Borough of Hillingdon and (b) Uxbridge constituency. [234161]
Joan Ruddock: In the last full Warm Front Scheme year, 1 April 2007-30 March 2008, the Warm Front Scheme distributed 562 compact fluorescent light-bulbs to 281 households in Hillingdon, at no cost to the household. 228 light-bulbs were delivered to 114 households in Uxbridge over the same period.
Compact fluorescent light-bulbs are also distributed by energy suppliers as part of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Targets (CERT) scheme and Energy Efficiency Commitment. There have been 27,662,035 compact fluorescent light bulbs distributed to households in
Great Britain for the period covering the first two quarters of CERT (April-September), which commenced in April 2008. Ofgem, who regulate the schemes for the Government, are only required to monitor the energy suppliers’ activity across Great Britain as a whole and data are not collected by region or any other local area.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many low energy light bulbs have been distributed without charge and at the expense of the public purse to pensioners in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire; and at what cost. [234578]
Joan Ruddock: In the last full Warm Front Scheme year, 1 April 2007-30 March 2008, the Warm Front Scheme distributed 370 compact fluorescent light-bulbs to 185 households in Hemel Hempstead, at no cost to the household. 2,430 light-bulbs were delivered to 1,215 households in Hertfordshire over the same period. All of these householders were on disability or income related benefits, as required to qualify for the scheme.
Associated costs are £1,421 and £9,337 plus 5 per cent. VAT, respectively. The cost associated with light-bulb provision covers the purchase, storage, packaging and delivery of these items.
Under the previous Energy Efficiency Commitment and the current Carbon Emissions Reduction Target programme, Ofgem, who regulate the scheme for the Government, are only required to monitor energy suppliers’ activity across Great Britain as a whole. Data is not collected by region or any other local area.
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many low energy light bulbs have been distributed without charge to pensioners in York. [230258]
Joan Ruddock: The two principal schemes providing assistance for energy efficiency measures, including to pensioner households are Warm Front and the energy supplier obligation.
Between 1 June 2005 and 30 August 2008 the Warm Front Scheme distributed 4,704 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to 2,352 pensioner households resident in the city of York and the Vale of York constituencies.
CFLs are also distributed by energy suppliers as part of the energy supplier obligation, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Targets (CERT). There have been 27,662,035 compact fluorescent light bulbs distributed to households in Great Britain for the period covering the first two quarters of CERT (April to September), which commenced in April 2008. Ofgem, who regulate the schemes for the Government, are required only to monitor the energy suppliers’ activity across Great Britain as a whole and data are not collected by region or any other local area.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many projects have received funding from the Marine Renewable Deployment Fund, broken down by (a) nation and (b) region. [239230]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 25 November 2008]: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member before Prorogation.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what projects have received funding from the Marine Renewables Deployment Fund in 2007-08; and which have been allocated funding for 2008-09. [238642]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 24 November 2008]: In 2007-08 three projects received funding from the MRDF. These were:
| Contractor | Description |
|
Development of protocols on “Assessment of performance for tidal energy conversion systems” | |
|
BERR contribution to the cost of its study of tidal power in the UK |
The two EMEC projects mentioned in the table also received funding during 2008-09, and Hartley Anderson Ltd. has been commissioned to undertake a project on “Data acquisition to inform the Strategic Environmental Assessment programme, with regard to marine renewables.”
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his latest estimate is of the surplus in each budget category of the Marine Renewables Deployment Fund for 2007-08; and what the projected spending is for each category for 2008-09. [238643]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 24 November 2008]: The Marine Renewables Deployment Fund has a £50 million budget which is not allocated to individual years. The projected expenditure by budget category for 2008-09 is:
| £ | |
Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when a Minister in his Department plans to reply to the letter to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 23 September 2008 on the Planning Bill and climate change. [232218]
Joan Ruddock [holding answer 3 November 2008]: The hon. Member’s letter has been transferred to Communities and Local Government for response, as it relates to the Planning Bill. A letter confirming the transfer was sent on 31 October.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2159W—continued
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the special representatives on (a) international energy issues and (b) carbon trading receive remuneration in respect of those roles. [232468]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: No. Both will be entitled to claim reasonable travel and subsistence expenses incurred as part of their work. These expenses will be paid in accordance with existing departmental guidelines on allowances and subsistence.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent steps have been taken by the Near Zero Emissions Coal Initiative; what assessment he has made of its progress; and if he will make a statement. [236410]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Following the start of the UK-China Near Zero Emissions Coal (NZEC) Initiative in November 2007, two interim workshops have been held in May and October 2008 to enable collaborative discussion on the work packages and presentation of initial findings.
The UK Government are working with the European Commission to develop Phases 2 and 3 of the EU-China NZEC agreement, particularly to secure finance and to develop a financial model. We are also working closely with the Chinese Government to reach agreement on costs and intellectual property rights (IPR) in particular ahead of the commencement of Phase 2.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when ministerial responsibility for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will be transferred to his Department. [235554]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Discussions are continuing and we will provide details as soon as possible.
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what minimum levels of (a) qualifications and (b) experience are expected of applicants for inspector posts in the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate. [236574]
Jonathan Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
Applicants for nuclear inspector grade posts are expected to have a good honours degree and to be a corporate member of a senior professional engineering or scientific institution, or to have an equivalent status. In all cases applicants are expected to have considerable work experience either in the nuclear industry or in other relevant high hazard industries.
Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the security of supply of uranium for the whole lifetime of any new nuclear power station built in the UK. [237795]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Government believes that there are sufficient uranium resources to fuel another generation of nuclear power plants in the UK. The Government’s White Paper on nuclear energy, published in January 2008, stated that backed up by a number of authoritative reports, including one from the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change, the evidence shows that sufficient fuel will be available to fuel a new programme of nuclear power stations constructed in the UK.
Two recent reports published since the White paper support this view:
(1) The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency’s Uranium 2007: Resources, Production and Demand report, published in 2008, states, “Regardless of the role that nuclear energy ultimately plays in meeting rising electricity demand, the uranium resource base [described in this document] is adequate to meet projected future requirements.”
(2) The Euratom Supply Agency’s Annual Report 2007, published in 2008, states, “According to specialists, the most recent developments in the field of uranium geology, uranium exploration and exploitation technology show that sufficient resources exist to support significant growth in nuclear capacity.”
Dr. Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the average cost of decommissioning a nuclear power station borne by (a) the public purse and (b) the nuclear power industry. [238750]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his previous question, dated 19 November 2008, Official Report, column 629W.
It is the Government’s policy that operators of new nuclear power stations must set aside funds to cover the full costs of decommissioning. Clauses in the Energy Bill create a framework for implementing this policy. The Bill requires any operator of a new nuclear power stations to have a Funded Decommissioning Programme approved by the Secretary of State in place before construction begins and to comply with this programme thereafter.
Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the impact of projected changes in (a) sea level and (b) the frequency and severity of storm-related events on the (i) working lifetime and (ii) decommissioning period of new nuclear power stations located on the coast; and what arrangements are in place for funding (A) protective measures and (B) insurance costs for such stations. [238256]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Climate change is a key consideration for the future viability of sites for new nuclear power stations. The Government therefore believe that issues relating to flood risk and flood protection should receive national level consideration in the forthcoming Strategic Siting Assessment.
The recent Consultation on the Strategic Siting Assessment Process and Siting Criteria for New Nuclear Power Stations in the UK proposed that sites nominated in the Strategic Siting Assessment process may be unsuitable
(on a discretionary basis) unless nominators are able to confirm that they can protect the site against flood-risk throughout the (operational and decommissioning) lifetime of the site, including the potential effects of climate change; and outline the countermeasures they would take to protect the site from flood risk, as far as practicable. Funding arrangements and insurance costs will be the responsibility of the operator.
The consultation closed on the 11 November and consultation responses are currently being analysed. The Government will issue a response to consultation in the new year.
Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department has offered a full or partial waiver of liability on insurance claims regarding British Energy's existing stations to the purchaser of the stations; and if he will make a statement. [238714]
Mr. Mike O'Brien [holding answer 24 November 2008]: No waiver of liability for insurance claims in respect of British Energy's existing power stations was sought from or offered by the Department in the context of the proposed takeover of British Energy by EdF.
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will list the public bodies (a) for which he has responsibility, (b) which receive funding from his Department and (c) which are sponsored by his Department. [228252]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Cabinet Office paper in the House Library “Machinery of Government: economy, business, climate change, energy and environment” sets out much of this information, including that the Department of Energy and Climate Change will sponsor the Carbon Trust, Energy Savings Trust and Ofgem. There are ongoing negotiations to determine the overall functions of the Department and which additional regulators, inspectorates, Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) might become the responsibility of the Department. Once these are completed, they will be a matter of public record. The final budget for DECC and its NDPBs will be agreed once negotiations on the machinery of government changes with BERR and DEFRA are complete.
Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff are employed by the Renewables Advisory Board on a (a) full-time equivalent and (b) headcount basis. [234645]
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the proposed new Parent Body Organisation for Sellafield led by URS Washington Group is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [237771]
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much has been spent on the consultation project Towards Carbon Capture and Storage. [229397]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The costs to date of the “Towards Carbon Capture and Storage” consultation comprise only internal staff costs and those for document design, printing and distribution of the final consultation document (£6,000). These costs are not expected to increase significantly since the ministerial response to the consultation will be published online in due course.
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people who have made financial deposits for new boilers through the Warm Front scheme have not received them to date. [238843]
Joan Ruddock: It has not been possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many properties in Copeland are awaiting improvement work to be carried out under the Warm Front scheme. [239240]
Joan Ruddock: As at 24 November 2008, there were 69 households awaiting energy efficiency measures under the Warm Front scheme in the Copeland constituency.
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of (a) households in Copeland constituency which received a Warm Front grant and (b) Warm Front grants made for the installation of (i) central heating, (ii) loft insulation, (iii) draughtproofing, (iv) cavity wall insulation and (v) hot water tank insulation in properties in Copeland constituency in each financial year since the commencement of the Warm Front scheme. [239352]
Joan Ruddock: It has not been possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the average waiting time for (a) an assessment visit to, (b) installation work to be carried out in and (c) repair work on faulty installations in properties in Copeland constituency which qualified for Warm Front grants in each financial year since the commencement of the Warm Front scheme began; and how many households in Copeland were awaiting an assessment visit in the last period for which figures are available. [239485]
Joan Ruddock: It has not been possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the value of (a) work carried out and (b) reductions in energy bills achieved as a result of work carried out under the Warm Front scheme on properties in Copeland constituency in each financial year since the scheme’s inception. [239486]
Joan Ruddock: The following table illustrates (a) the value of work carried out and (b) estimated reductions in energy bills as a result of works undertaken by the Warm Front Scheme by year from the inception of the scheme.
Savings are calculated based on embedded algorithms within the National Home Energy Rating software.
| £ | ||
| Scheme year | Total measure spend | Running cost saving (per household) |
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many Warm Front scheme registered installers are based in Copeland constituency. [239487]
Joan Ruddock: Currently there are no installers registered to carry out work for the Warm Front Scheme that have head offices based in the Copeland constituency.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2165W—continued
Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much the computer system for Warm Front has cost to install. [238842]
Joan Ruddock: DECC does not hold this information. It is part of Eaga’s internal operating costs which are covered by the administration fee paid by DECC to Eaga.
Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the prospects for including water companies in the intelligent metering roll-out. [237202]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: There are possible synergies between the roll-out of energy smart metering and the development of intelligent water metering, including in the provision of information to consumers. We have ensured that DEFRA water policy officials and representatives of the water sector (including their Intelligent Metering Initiative) have been informed and are able to contribute to the development of plans for energy smart metering. However, we also recognise that the positions of these two sectors are very different in terms of the stage of development of smart metering plans.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 4th March 2008, Official Report, columns 102-5WS, on tackling alcohol-related problems, when the further research into post-midnight drinking patterns and their impact on crime commenced; who is carrying it out; what the terms of reference for the research are; what the total cost of the research is; and when the results are expected to be published. [234223]
Mr. Sutcliffe:
The latest national statistics on Alcohol, Entertainment, and Late Night Refreshment Licensing produced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport were released on 30th October 2008, according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. These include information about the number of premises with permission to trade for up to 24 hours. Further work on evaluating the impact of the sale of alcohol between 3am and 6am is being developed with the Home Office, but no decisions have yet been taken on
who should carry it out and the terms of reference. It is therefore too soon to give an estimate of likely costs or an expected date for publication.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 4 March 2008, Official Report, columns 102-105WS, on tackling alcohol-related problems, what stage of development the toolkit has reached; when the toolkit will be launched; and what the total cost of producing the toolkit will be. [234224]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The toolkit is being developed by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in close consultation with my Department. We expect it to be launched shortly. The cost of producing the toolkit will not be known until it is fully developed.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which external organisations are assisting his Department in the development and launch of the Engaging Places online resource. [239595]
Barbara Follett: Engaging Places is now being taken forward as a joint project by English Heritage and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. Culture24 has been commissioned to build the Engaging Places online resource, with artwork designed by Atelier Works, and Grayling and Together Design have been engaged to assist with its launch. Numerous historic and built environment organisations have also provided advice on the development of the resource.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Engaging Places online resource has cost to develop; and what he expects to be the annual cost of maintaining the resource. [239596]
Barbara Follett: The development of the Engaging Places online resource has cost £37,259; this figure excludes staff costs which it has not been possible to calculate. The annual cost of maintaining the resource is still under consideration.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much grant-in-aid was allocated for Arts Council England in 2007-08; and how much has been allocated in each year for which projections have been made, broken down by budget sub-head. [239622]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff Arts Council England employs to carry out research. [239582]
Barbara Follett: The Arts Council England have confirmed that they employ seven members of staff to carry out research.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the funding available under the Quality and Innovation Fund has been (a) committed and (b) spent. [239624]
Barbara Follett: We have no record of any funds being committed or spent under the banner Quality and Innovation Fund.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding was provided to the Artsmark scheme in each of the last five years; what proportion of schools have been accredited; and what the scheme’s budget is for each year for which projections have been made. [239623]
Barbara Follett: The information requested, provided by Arts Council England, is set out in the following tables.
| £ | ||
| Funding for Artsmark | Projected budget for Artsmark | |
| Number of awards | Percentage of schools accredited( 1,2) | |
| (1) Based on 22,457 schools in England; updated to 25,179 schools from January 2006. (2) Accreditation of a school lasts for three years. | ||
Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many letters of complaint his Department has received on the BBC's decision to create a network of 65 local video news websites; and if he will make a statement. [236446]
Andy Burnham: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will request the British Library to use closed circuit television and to take other security measures in its reading rooms where rare books are consulted; and if he will make a statement. [239938]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment spent on employing press and communications officers in each of the last five years. [225670]
Barbara Follett: The information requested has been supplied by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. Inclusive of NIC and pensions, the total spent in each of the last five years is:
| £ | |
| Note: For consistency, figures are rounded up to the nearest £100. | |
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruit to be served by his Department at Christmas functions which will be sourced from British producers. [239543]
Mr. Sutcliffe [holding answer 25 November 2008]: The information requested is not collected.
The Government will shortly be publishing a report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by government departments and also supplied to hospitals and prisons under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain and National Offender Management Service (previously HM Prison Service) between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/awareness.htm.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support his Department has provided to the Churches Conservation Trust in each year since 1997. [239382]
Barbara Follett: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport currently provides 70 per cent. of the Churches Conservation Trust's statutory funding, the other 30 per cent. coming from the Church Commissioners for England. The amounts provided by DCMS in grant in aid since 1997 are set out in the table.
| Amount (£000) | |
The Churches Conservation Trust also benefits under the Department's Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme, which makes grants equivalent to the VAT incurred in making repairs. The amounts disbursed to the trust under this scheme are set out in the table.
| Amount (£) | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2169W—continued
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Churches Conservation Trust received in private donations in each year since 1997. [239383]
Barbara Follett: This is not a matter for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Churches Conservation Trust is a church body and a charity; the Department does not hold the information requested.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for how many buildings the Churches Conservation Trust was responsible in each year since 1997. [239384]
Barbara Follett: The number of buildings for which the Churches Conservation Trust was responsible in each year since 1997 is set out in the following table.
| Number of vested churches( 1) | |
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department has taken to improve its arrangements for co-ordination with other Government departments of policy affecting coastal towns in the last two years. [238653]
Barbara Follett: A cross-Whitehall coastal towns group, led by the Department for Communities and Local Government, is working in partnership with a Regional Development Agency (RDA)-led network to improve knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing coastal towns in order to inform action at a national and sub-national level. In addition, VisitBritain has been conducting a strategic framework review which, among other things, is examining the better co-ordination of public expenditure and strategic engagement by Government Departments, Regional Development Agencies and Local Authorities in support of tourism in Britain, including the coastal areas. VisitWales and VisitScotland have been involved in the Review, which will report its findings soon.
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department has taken to fulfil the Government's commitment to the principles established in the Annex to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. [238465]
Barbara Follett [holding answer 24 November 2008]: As confirmed in the answer given on 24 January 2008, Official Report, column 46, the Government's maritime heritage policy recognises the Annex to the 2001 UNESCO Convention as best practice for underwater archaeology and have advocated adherence to the principles of this where this has been compatible with existing United Kingdom legislation. English Heritage is the Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment of England and English coastal waters. Their new technical guide on assessing risk to English Designated Wreck sites, which was published in November 2008, refers to the Annex, and the fact that the issuing of Licences by the Secretary of State to carry out activities specified in the 1973 Protection of Wrecks Act on designated sites is also carried out with regard to the general principles of the Annex. Although English Heritage's “Protection of Wrecks Act: Guidance for Divers and Archaeologists”, which was published in 2007, does not specifically refer to the Annex, it reflects the principles within it.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many more Convergence Think Tank seminars he expects to take place. [239590]
Andy Burnham: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what events have been planned to share research and best practice from the priority places initiative. [239613]
Barbara Follett: The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council are the lead body for the Priority Places Programme and its parent programme, Living Places. It held a successful event to share research and best practice on Thursday 20th November 2008 and intend to hold a further research and evaluation seminar early in the next financial year. In addition, the new Living Places website (www.living-places.org.uk) acts as a source of research and best practice for those participating.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date each of the Find Your Talent pilots began; when he expects to report on the findings from the pilots; and if he will make a statement. [239385]
Andy Burnham: The information requested is set out in the table.
| Pilot | Launch date |
Find Your Talent is a three-year programme running to 2011. The first interim report from the independent evaluation of the pilots will be in April 2009. Pilots will also be supplying regular monitoring data to the National Delivery Team throughout the life of the programme and learning and success stories from the pilots will be shared as they develop.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2008, Official Report, column 109W, on culture: planning, what the reason is for the time taken to (a) launch and (b) commence the Cultural Planning Toolkit training. [239395]
Barbara Follett: The Cultural Planning Tools and Guidance (CPTG) was due for completion by Culture East Midlands earlier this year. However, personal circumstances concerning the lead consultant with responsibility for the project resulted in delays and the eventual appointment of new consultants. Training for the product can only commence once the CPTG is fully complete. The new consultants are now taking this work forward, with a projected launch date of March 2009.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost to his Department of provision of office facilities to (a) special advisers and (b) press officers (i) was in the last 12 months and (ii) has been since 1997-98. [232803]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many offices (a) his Department, (b) its agency and (c) each of its non-departmental public bodies occupy; what the location of each is; how many staff are employed at each location; and what the floor area of each office is. [238432]
(a) The Department occupies the following offices. Queens Yard includes office space for 15 Government Art Collection staff as well as a gallery, workshop and storage space.
| Office location | Staff | Area sq m |
(b) The Royal Parks occupy the following offices.
| Office location | Staff | Area sq m |
(c) Due to the large number of NDPBs that are sponsored by DCMS it is not possible to provide the information requested without incurring disproportionate cost.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) his Department, (b) its agency and (c) each of its non-departmental public bodies spent on office accommodation from 2005-06 to 2007-08; and what the estimated outturn for 2008-09 is. [238433]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The information is as follows:
(a) The Department spent the following on office accommodation:
| £ | |
| (1) Estimated outturn. | |
(b) The Royal Parks aggregate the cost of all buildings (offices, stores, workshops, WC's etc) by park. The information relating to office buildings only could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
(c) Due to the large number of NDPBs that are sponsored by DCMS it is not possible to provide the information requested without incurring disproportionate cost.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) his Department, (b) its agency and (c) each of his Department’s non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since 1997-98; how much is planned to be spent by each in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [238515]
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) his Department, (b) its agency and (c) its non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08; what the estimated outturn of each body is for 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [238437]
Barbara Follett: Due to the large number of non departmental public bodies that are sponsored by DCMS it is not possible to provide the information requested for part (c) without incurring disproportionate cost.
(a) 1997-98—£465,336; 1998-99—£329,911; 1999-2000—£588,321; 2000-01—£194,075; 2001-02—£318,416; 2002-03—£469,480; 2003-04—£473,785; 2004-05—£643,924; 2005-06—£1,161,306; 2006-07—£852,525; 2007-08—£1,180,354.
(b) 1999-2000—£595,615; 2000-01—£558,030; 2001-02—£495,694; 2002-03—£632,276; 2003-04—£566,314; 2004-05—£625,517; 2005-06—£574,157; 2006-07—£833,722; 2007-08—£1,958,514.
Due to changes at the time in the accounting structure, figures cannot be provided for 1997-98 and 1998-99 without incurring disproportionate cost.
The estimated outturn in 2008-09 for DCMS is £1.3 million and for Royal Parks Agency is £1.7 million, both of which are subject to revision.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2173W—continued
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when his Department submitted its Value For Money programme progress report to HM Treasury; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [239594]
Andy Burnham: We will publish our assessment of progress towards the Value for Money programme in our upcoming Autumn Performance Report.
This will be laid before Parliament and published on our website no later than 15 December 2008.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to review the progress of his Department’s Diversity Strategy. [239593]
Barbara Follett: My Department is in the process of reviewing progress on our Equality Scheme and will publish our report on progress early in 2009.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press and communications officers are employed by (a) Arts Council England, (b) Sport England, (c) UK Sport, (d) the Museums and Libraries Archive and (e) English Heritage. [224779]
Barbara Follett: The information requested has been provided by the following organisations:
The Arts Council currently employs 49 members of staff as press and communications officers.
Sport England currently employs 14 full-time equivalent members of staff as press and communications officers.
UK Sport currently employs five full-time equivalent members of staff as press and communications officers.
The Museums and Libraries Archive
The Museum and Libraries Archive currently employs one full-time equivalent member of staff on press and communications.
English Heritage currently employs 10 full-time equivalent members of staff as press and communications officers.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press and communications officers (1) (a) the Heritage Lottery Fund and (b) the Big Lottery Fund employed at the latest date for which figures are available; [224844]
(2) are employed by the National Heritage Memorial Fund. [224847]
Barbara Follett: The information requested has been provided by the following organisations:
The Heritage Lottery Fund currently employs 8.1 full-time equivalent staff as press and communications officers.
The National Heritage Memorial Fund
The National Heritage Memorial Fund is the parent body of the Heritage Lottery Fund and shares their press and communication resource.
The Big Lottery Fund currently employs 13.4 full-time equivalent staff as press and communications officers.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by (a) Arts Council England, (b) Sport England, (c) UK Sport, (d) the Museums Libraries and Archives Council and (e) English Heritage on employing press and communications officers in each of the last five years. [224864]
Barbara Follett: The information requested has been provided by the following organisations. Inclusive of NIC and pensions, the total spent in each of the last five years is:
| The Arts Council | |
| £ | |
| (1 )Figure not available as Arts Council cannot provide information prior to the merger of the regional arts boards. | |
| Sport England | |
| £ | |
| (1) Figure not available as the payroll system of Sport England does not pre-date 2004. | |
| UK Sport | |
| £ | |
| The Museums Libraries and Archives Council | |
| £ | |
| (1) Figure currently unavailable. | |
| English Heritage | |
| £ | |
| Note: For consistency, figures are rounded up to the nearest £100. | |
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much was spent by (a) the Heritage Lottery Fund and (b) the Big Lottery Fund on employing press and communications officers in each of the last five years; [224866]
(2) how much was spent by the National Heritage Memorial Fund on employing press and communications officers in each of the last five years. [227205]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The information requested has been provided by the following organisations for the total spent in each of the last five years.
| The Heritage Lottery Fund( 1) | |
| £ | |
| (1) The Heritage Lottery Fund has confirmed that these figures exclude NIC and pension contributions as these could be provided only at disproportionate cost. | |
The National Heritage Memorial Fund
The National Heritage Memorial Fund is the parent body of the Heritage Lottery Fund and shares their press and communication resource.
| The Big Lottery Fund( 1) | |
| £ | |
| (1) The Big Lottery Fund was established in June 2004. These figures are inclusive of NIC and pensions. | |
Note:
For consistency, figures are rounded up to the nearest £100.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press and communications officers are employed by (a) the National Gallery, (b) the Tate, (c) the Science Museum, (d) the Science Museum Manchester and (e) the Museum of London. [225293]
Barbara Follett: The information requested has been provided to us by the following organisations:
The National Gallery currently employs 4.4 full time equivalent staff as press and communications officers.
The Tate currently employs nine full time equivalent staff as press and communications officers. This figure includes staff in London and Regional Galleries.
The Science Museum currently employs 3.5 full time equivalent staff as press and communications officers.
The Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry currently employs 1.2 full time equivalent staff as press and communications officers.
Although the Museum of London are not a NDPB sponsored by DCMS, they have confirmed that they currently employ three full time equivalent staff as press and communications officers.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press and communications officers are employed by (a) the Royal Armouries Museum, (b) Sir John Soane’s Museum, (c) Chatham Historic Dockyard and (d) the Wallace Collection. [225294]
Barbara Follett: The information requested has been provided to us by the following organisations:
The Royal Armouries currently employs one full-time equivalent member of staff on press and communications.
Sir John Soane’s Museum does not employ any staff as press and communications officers.
Chatham Historic Dockyard is not an NDPB of DCMS. However, they have confirmed that they currently employ one full-time equivalent member of staff on press and communications.
The Wallace collection currently employs 1.5 full-time equivalent staff as press and communications officers.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) the British Library, (b) the British Museum, (c) the Geffrye Museum, (d) the Horniman Museum and (e) the Imperial War Museum spent on press and communications officers in each of the last five years. [225756]
Barbara Follett: The information requested has been provided by the following organisations. Inclusive of NIC and pensions, the total spent in each of the last five years is:
| The British Library | |
| £ | |
| The British Museum | |
| £ | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2177W—continued
| The Geffrye Museum | |
| £ | |
| The Horniman Museum | |
| £ | |
| The Imperial War Museum( 1) | |
| £ | |
| (1) These figures represent the spend on staff across all five Imperial War Museum branches (IWM London, IWM North, IWM Duxford, HMS Belfast, Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms). Note: For consistency, figures are rounded up to the nearest £100. | |
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent on employing press and communications officers in (a) his Department, (b) its non-departmental public bodies and (c) its agencies in each of the last three years. [239612]
Barbara Follett: The total cost of employing press and communications officers of the Department for the last three-years is as follows:
| DCMS press officers | |
| £ | |
| (1) This includes press officers working on the Olympics. | |
2007-08—£289,907.14
The Department did not have a “communication officer” grade during 2005-06 and 2006-07. The “White Book” of contacts in Government Departments and agencies contains listings for the Department and the book is updated twice yearly.
The Royal Parks is the only Agency of DCMS. For financial years 2005-06 and 2006-07, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Barking and Dagenham on 31 March 2008, Official Report, column 540W.
For 2007-08, the figure as supplied by The Royal Parks, is £40,866.05
Due to the large number of NDPB's sponsored by DCMS, information regarding costs of press officers could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many civil servants were employed by each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08; what the estimated figures are for 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [238528]
Barbara Follett: The Royal Parks is the only Executive agency DCMS is responsible for. The staff figures for the specified period are:
| Average number of staff | |
With a few of exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office “Public Bodies” publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
Figures for 2008-09 are not available.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many civil servants were employed by (a) his Department’s agency and (b) each of his Department’s non-departmental public bodies in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08; and if he will make a statement. [238558]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The Royal Parks is the only executive agency DCMS is responsible for, the staff figures for the specified period are:
| Period | Average number of staff |
With a few exceptions, executive NDPBs are non-Crown bodies and employees are not civil servants—although civil servants can be seconded or loaned to NDPBs. Information on the number of employees in executive NDPBs is published in the annual Cabinet Office “Public Bodies” publication. Copies are available from the Libraries of the House.
Advisory NDPBs do not usually employ staff. They are typically supported by civil servants from the sponsoring Department.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of Government commissioned advertising in the last 12 months relating to matters falling within the remit of his Department. [226519]
Mr. Sutcliffe: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much (a) his Department, (b) its agency and (c) each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08; what the equivalent estimated figures are in each case for 2008-09; and if he will make a statement; [238507]
(2) how much (a) his Department, (b) its agency and (c) its non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year from 1997-98 to 2007-08; what the estimated outturn of each body is for 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [238436]
Barbara Follett: The information is as follows:
(a) (i) The Department has incurred the following expenditure on publicity.
| Spend (£) | |
| (1) Estimated figure. | |
(a) (ii) The Department incurred zero expenditure on campaign advertising between 1997-98 and 2003-04. Expenditure in subsequent years is set out as follows:
| Campaign | Spend (£) | |
| (1) Estimated figure. | ||
(b) (i) The Royal Parks Agency has incurred the following expenditure on publicity between 1997-98 and 2007-08.
| £ | |
| (1) Given a change in the Royal Parks accounting structure, data only goes back to 1999-2000. (2) Estimated figure. | |
(b) (ii) The Royal Parks Agency has incurred the following spend on advertising between 1997-98 and 2007-08.
| £ | |
| (1) Estimated figure. | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2181W—continued
£21,856,000
Information on publicity and advertising costs by non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many special advisers his Department employed in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost. [238438]
Mr. Sutcliffe: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each such year. [238513]
Mr. Sutcliffe: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which key words or terms (a) Arts Council England, (b) the Museums, Libraries and Archives, (c) the Big Lottery Fund, (d) English Heritage and (e) the Heritage Lottery Fund monitored in the media in each of the last three years. [225503]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; and what budget they have been set for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [236919]
Barbara Follett: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South West Surrey (Mr. Hunt) on 14 October, Official Report, column 1196W.
The information on the remits of each non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) can be found in the DCMS publication DCMS Public Bodies Directory 2008, copies of which are available from the Library and on line at:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/5125.aspx
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent on entertainment by his Department in 2007-08; and how much of that sum is accounted for by (a) food, (b) alcohol, (c) staff and (d) accommodation. [232846]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department has spent on official entertainment in each year since 1997-98. [238442]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many non-pensionable bonuses were awarded to members of staff in his Department in the last 12 months; and at what total cost. [226415]
Mr. Sutcliffe: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what bonuses were paid by his Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239658]
Mr. Sutcliffe: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. and learned Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) Sport England, (b) English Heritage, (c) the Heritage Lottery Fund, (d) the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, (e) the Big Lottery Fund and (f) Arts Council England spent on (i) transcripts or recordings, (ii) fees to the Newspaper Licensing Authority and (iii) analysis of press coverage in each of the last three years. [224843]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the money spent by (a) Arts Council England and (b) Sport England on media monitoring services came from National Lottery income in each of the last three years. [224959]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether there has been any nugatory cost to his Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239638]
Mr. Sutcliffe: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of his Department’s outturn expenditure on administration for 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [238526]
Andy Burnham: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of his Department’s outturn expenditure on administration for 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [238527]
Andy Burnham: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will publish his assessment of progress made towards meeting the Public Service Agreement performance targets since the Spending Review in 2004. [239629]
Andy Burnham: We will publish our latest assessment of progress towards the Public Service Agreement performance targets from the Spending Review in 2004 in our upcoming Autumn Performance Report.
This will be laid before Parliament and published on our website no later than 15 December 2008.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [238440]
Barbara Follett: The Department has spent the following on focus groups and opinion polls:
| (a) Focus groups | |
| £ | |
Other research commissioned is likely to have included a focus group element but it is not possible to determine the costs of these elements. Further estimated costs for 2008-09 will be £100,000.
| (b) Opinion polls | |
| £ | |
There are no further estimated costs for 2008-09.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. [238509]
Barbara Follett: The Department has spent the following on focus groups and opinion polls:
| (a) Focus groups | |
| £ | |
Other research commissioned is likely to have included a focus group element but it is not possible to determine the costs of these elements.
Further estimated costs for 2008-09 will be £100,000.
| (b) Opinion polls | |
| £ | |
There are no further estimated costs for 2008-09.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on (a) entertainment, (b) advertising and promotion and (c) public relations consultancy in 2007-08. [228081]
Barbara Follett: For the year 2007-08 the Department spent the following in each of the requested categories:
(a) Entertainment (where we have defined “entertainment” to be all events and functions hosted by the Department for the purpose of entertaining guests): £16,764.92.
(b) Advertising and promotion: £81,132.21.
(c) Public relations consultancy: £0.00.
The Government Olympic Executive, which is part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport with responsibility for ensuring the London 2012 Games are delivered, has also spent the following in each of the requested categories for 2007-08:
(a) Entertainment (where we have defined “entertainment” to be all events and functions hosted by the department for the purpose of entertaining guests): £0.00.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff are employed by his Department to carry out research. [239581]
Barbara Follett: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport employs 14 analytical staff in the Evidence and Analysis Unit, of whom five are social researchers.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2185W—continued
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what responsibilities his Department has in relation to broadcasting; what changes have been made to these responsibilities since his appointment; and if he will make a statement. [225525]
Barbara Follett: [holding answer Thursday 9 October 2008]: There is no change. My Department is responsible for policy on the regulatory framework for broadcasting in the United Kingdom. This includes responsibility for policy relating to the BBC and other public service broadcasters and for setting the television licence fee. My Department has joint responsibility for digital switchover with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which organisations provided Ministers in his Department with media training in each of the last three years; and how much was spent on media training in each year. [238035]
Andy Burnham [holding answer 24 November 2008]: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 816W, on departmental training, what the (a) nature, (b) duration and (c) cost was of the training he received. [238416]
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 6 October 2008, Official Report, column 11, on television (access), what progress has been achieved in ensuring that residents of Skelmersdale can continue to watch television after the date of digital switchover. [238728]
Andy Burnham: The spectrum planners have identified frequencies that are suitable for the local transmitter to use and broadcasters have instructed their transmission company to go ahead with building the new transmitter. A suitable site has been found. The transmission company is currently carrying out some pre-planning consultation work and expects to put in a formal planning application very shortly. I understand that the process of building the transmitter is therefore on course to be complete in time for switchover in the Granada region in November 2009.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects his Department's Disability Reference Group to report to the Department's Board on progress in addressing actions on disability. [239592]
Mr. Sutcliffe: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff are employed by English Heritage to carry out research. [239584]
Barbara Follett: English Heritage have estimated that they employ 84 full time equivalent members of staff who carry out research.
The majority of the staff (61) are employed in English Heritage's Research Department and in addition to procuring and monitoring front-line research into the fabric of the historic environment, they provide advice, guidance, standard-setting, capacity-building and outreach to colleagues providing external services and to a wide range of external audiences (public and professional).
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what stage has been reached in negotiations between the UK Film Council, the Arts Council and the Humanities Research Council on developing mixed media centres. [227184]
Barbara Follett: The completion of a study, jointly commissioned by the Arts Council England (ACE); the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the UK Film Council (UKFC), entitled “Crossing Boundaries” in 2008 marked the end of the first stage of negotiations between the three bodies about the development of a digital network of mixed media centres. ACE and UKFC will now build on, and enhance, the work that some of the venues, like the Watershed in Bristol and the Broadway in Nottingham, are already doing to develop this network by, for example, exploiting the opportunities afforded by new digital technologies. The development of the network is in addition to ongoing growth in provision at individual centres, which has brought a wider range of film related activities to local audiences, including ones such as the Spanish film festival in Manchester, educational work for young people and adults, visiting directors and screenings of specialised film throughout the year.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will place in the Library a copy of the evaluation framework used to identify and monitor measures or indicators associated with protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling, as referred to in his Department's publication, Lifting the Burden. [239628]
Barbara Follett: The Gambling Act 2005 was fully implemented from 1 September 2007 and my Department believes it is too soon to make a full and meaningful assessment of the effectiveness of the new system of gambling regulation without at least two full years of solid experience.
In preparation for a future assessment, my Department and the Gambling Commission have been undertaking preparatory work to gather evidence to monitor the impact of the 2005 Act. Therefore an evaluation framework for monitoring the impact of the 2005 Act has not yet been published.
The three licensing objectives will provide the standard by which the effectiveness of the regulatory regime will be evaluated, including the measures on the protection of children and the vulnerable.
This will include evidence from the Gambling Prevalence Survey 2007 published in September 2007, and the work for the next prevalence survey to ensure that problem gambling including the protection of children and the vulnerable is adequately understood and researched.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what information his Department holds on the number of thoroughbred racehorses which die or are destroyed (a) on racecourses and (b) within a month of sustaining an injury on a racecourse. [237643]
Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
The Government does not collect these figures.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will consider the merits of introducing legislative proposals to ensure that when a decision is taken to destroy an injured horse on a racecourse that the horse is first sedated. [237684]
Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 already requires that the destruction of any animal must be done in an appropriate and humane manner. We do not believe that any further legislation is necessary.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of surplus breeding of thoroughbred horses by the racing industry. [237923]
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will take steps to make it a requirement that when an injured horse is destroyed by a veterinary surgeon on a racecourse that at least two means of humane despatch are immediately available; [239185]
(2) if he will bring forward legislative proposals to limit the number of thoroughbred horses which may be bred by the racing industry; and if he will make a statement; [239186]
(3) if he will take steps to ensure that veterinary surgeons who destroy injured thoroughbreds on racecourses have (a) sufficient training and (b) are periodically assessed to ensure that their standard of competence is maintained; [239189]
Jane Kennedy: I have been asked to reply.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) hotels and (b) guest houses classified as (i) one star, (ii) two star, (iii) three star, (iv) four star and (v) five star there were in each of the principal English seaside towns in each year for which figures are available. [238918]
Barbara Follett: VisitBritain has advised that the numbers of hotels and guest houses in the eight seaside resort destinations that feature in the top 20 English destinations for domestic holiday visits, that are star rated by VisitBritain and/or the AA, are as follows:
| Area | Designator | 5 Star | 4 Star | 3 Star | 2 St ar | 1 Sta r | Budget Hotel | Awaiting Grading | Total |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2190W—continued
This information is correct as at end of October 2008. VisitBritain has advised that data for previous years is either unavailable or is stored in such a way that disaggregation of the listed resorts from the national figures would be possible only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the proportion of guest houses and hotels that are fully wheelchair accessible. [231375]
Barbara Follett: [holding answer Thursday 30 October 2008]: Tourism for All estimates that only 2 per cent of visitor accommodation in the United Kingdom, including guest houses and hotels, is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
The Government's recent report "Winning: A tourism strategy for 2012 and beyond" recognises that much more needs to be done to improve this figure. That is why the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has set up an Accessible Stakeholders Forum to identify the barriers to service provision and work towards speedy solutions. The London Development Agency has also launched their London Open to All Programme which offers a range of support to help tourism businesses become fully accessible to visitors.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) the Gambling Commission and (b) the National Lottery Commission spent on press and communications officers in each of the last five years. [225501]
Barbara Follett: The information requested has been provided by the following organisations, and totals are inclusive of NIC and pensions:
| The Gambling Commission( 1) | |
| £ | |
| (1) The Gambling Commission was established in October 2005 so figures have been provided as appropriate. | |
| The National Lottery Commission | |
| £ | |
Note:
For consistency, figures are rounded up to the nearest £100
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to review the operation of the Licensing Act 2003; and if he will make a statement. [232214]
Barbara Follett [holding answer 3 November 2008]: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions his Department has had with the BBC Trust on its public value inquiry test of proposals by the BBC to establish local news websites and a local news video network; and if he will make a statement; [235879]
(2) what assessment his Department has made of the (a) competitiveness and (b) diversity of the local and regional media industry; and if he will make a statement; [235880]
(3) what assessment his Department has made of trends in the future expansion of the local and regional media industry; and if he will make a statement; [235881]
(4) what assessment he has made of the compatibility with the BBC Charter of BBC proposals to establish local news websites and a local news video network; and if he will make a statement; [235933]
(5) what steps his Department is taking to help develop local and regional media industries; and if he will make a statement; [235934]
(6) what steps his Department is taking to assist local and regional media industries; and if he will make a statement. [235935]
Andy Burnham: No assessments of the local and regional media industry have been undertaken.
The Department has regular meetings with the BBC Trust, at which a range of issues are covered.
Under the terms of the BBC’s Charter and Agreement, public value tests are a matter for the BBC Trust and there is no provision for Government to intervene. On 21 November, the BBC Trust announced its provisional conclusion that the local video proposal should be rejected. The Trust is due to make its final decision by 25 February.
The growth of local media industries is an important issue that we will consider within the Digital Britain Report, which will be published spring next year. This report is part of the Government’s aim to develop a coherent strategy for a fully digital Britain. It will address a number of areas related to this issue including the future of public service content and the future of news provision.
The report will also address around Nations, regions and local provision, and consider the actions necessary to support the growth of the digital and communications industries.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to publish the Convergence Think Tank's interim report on the future policy and legislative framework for the communications industries; and if he will make a statement. [238019]
Andy Burnham: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department has allocated to each of its sponsored museums and galleries for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [225524]
Barbara Follett [holding answer 9 October 2008]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 October 2008, Official Report, column 1197W.
Mr. Hunt:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) the Royal Armouries
Museum, (b) Sir John Soane’s Museum, (c) Chatham Historic Dockyard and (d) the Wallace Collection spent on employing press and communications officers in each of the last five years. [226250]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by (a) the National Gallery, (b) the Tate, (c) the Science Museum, (d) the Science Museum Manchester and (e) the Museum of London on employing press and communications officers in each of the last five years. [227207]
Barbara Follett: The information requested has been provided by the following organisations and is inclusive of NIC and pensions:
| The National Gallery | |
| Amount (£) | |
| The Tate | |
| Amount (£) | |
| Note: These figures do not include consultancy costs. | |
| The Science Museum | |
| Amount (£) | |
| The Museum of Science and Industry—Manchester | |
| Amount (£) | |
| Note: Please note that, for consistency, figures are rounded up to the nearest £100. | |
The Museum of London is not an NDPB sponsored by DCMS and we do not have figures for this organisation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council employs to carry out research. [239585]
Barbara Follett: The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council have confirmed that they employ four members of staff to carry out research.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to publish the accounts for 2007-08 of (a) the National Lottery Distribution Fund and (b) the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund. [239381]
Andy Burnham: I expect to publish both these accounts by the end of the year.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by the National Lottery Commission on advertising for recruitment in each of the last five years. [225469]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The information requested has been provided by the National Lottery Commission. Their spend on advertising for recruitment in each of the last five years is:
| Amount (£) | |
| Note: Please note, for consistency, figures are rounded up to the nearest £100). | |
Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2008, Official Report, column 259W, on the Olympic Games: finance, how much of the £290 million has been allocated to each home country sports council; how much money has been committed by Sport England to date; and to what. [239390]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The Home Country Sports Councils’ contribution of £290 million to the overall Olympic budget is from their existing National Lottery resources. It is for the Home Country Sports Councils to determine how this money is spent on support for elite athletes and coaches, facilities for elite and community use, and community sport programmes.
The total committed expenditure by Sport England as at the end of October 2008 is set out in the table.
| £ million | |
Mr. Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent by his Department on Plain English Campaign training courses for its staff in each year since 2005. [230610]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has spent £0 on training courses titled Plain English Campaign training for its staff for each financial year 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08.
However, its staff have attended training events that include Plain English communication guidance within the content of other training events. Namely “Effective Writing and Communication” events and "Effective Speech Writing". The total cost of this training for financial years since 2005 are as follows:
| Amount (£) | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2194W—continued
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Zoneparcs are in operation; and how much funding for these projects has been (a) allocated and (b) spent. [239627]
Barbara Follett: The Youth Sport Trust advise that there are 425 Zoneparcs in operation, for which (a) £8,250,000 has been allocated and of this (b) all has now been spent.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the Answer of 1 November 2006, Official Report, column 421W, on playing fields, how many planning applications have been approved affecting sites which either were too small or of the wrong shape to accommodate a playing pitch as currently defined in each year since 2004-05. [239692]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding his Department has allocated to public libraries in (a) Hertfordshire and (b) England in each of the last five years. [239348]
Barbara Follett:
This information is not held centrally. However, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) publishes figures of total revenue expenditure and total revenue income for each library authority in its report “Public Library Statistics”—the figures are provided per thousand population. When used with resident population statistics (also provided in the publication), the amount of core funding allocated by Hertfordshire county council to its public libraries
can be calculated. The House of Commons Library holds copies of the report, including the most recent edition which contains estimated figures for 2007-08 and actual data for 2006-07.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has policy responsibility for public libraries, but core funding for public libraries is paid to the 149 library authorities in England as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement, administered by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Local authorities’ net current expenditure on public libraries, as advised by DCLG, is set out in the following table.
| Net current expenditure: public libraries, England | ||
| £000 | ||
| Historic prices | Current prices( 1) | |
| (1) Calculated using gross domestic product deflators 2007-08 supplied by Her Majesty’s Treasury. | ||
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which meetings (a) he, (b) other Ministers and (c) his officials have had with the Church Commissioners on alternative uses for places for worship in the last three years. [239589]
Barbara Follett: The Secretary of State and his predecessor, the right hon. Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (James Purnell), both met the Bishop of London to discuss access to funding to support alternative uses of places of worship.
The future of closed and closing Church of England church buildings, including alternative uses, is settled by the Church Buildings (Uses & Disposals) Committee of the Church Commissioners, on which the Secretary of State has a nominee. The Secretary of State's nominee meets regularly with Departmental officials.
Officials are regularly party to discussions with officials from the Commissioners and the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) on specific church buildings already redundant or approaching redundancy, which are being considered for alternative use or which might justify preservation in the interests of the nation by vesting in CCT.
Officials have attended all or part of annual tours in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 whereby the Church Commissioners have visited church buildings which, among others, are already in alternative use, or are redundant churches being considered for alternative uses.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Heritage Lottery Fund has provided for places of worship in each year since 1995, expressed in (a) cash terms and (b) 2008-09 prices. [239380]
Barbara Follett:
The information requested, provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is set out in the table.
The figures refer to funding to cathedrals, churches, chapels, and non-Christian places of worship.
| £ | ||
| Award in cash terms | Award in 2007-08 prices( 1) | |
| (1) 2008-09 prices are not yet available. | ||
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by the Royal Parks Agency on employing press and communications officers in each of the last five years. [227204]
Barbara Follett: For information on the spend on press and communications officers by the Royal Parks in financial years 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge) on 31 March 2008, Official Report, columns 540-41W.
For 2007-08, the figure as supplied by the Royal Parks, is £40,866.05
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on S4C in each year since 1997-98; and how many viewers it is estimated S4C had in each year. [238434]
Andy Burnham: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect of the PE and school sport national professional development programme on the standard of swimming teaching in England. [239287]
Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I have been asked to reply.
The PE and sport professional development programme is a key part of our national strategy for PE and sport and aims to raise standards of teaching and learning in the subject across the country. As part of the programme, over 11,000 swimming resources have been accessed by teachers since January 2005. In addition, around 9,000 teachers will have benefited from the Amateur Swimming Association's National Curriculum Swimming training course over the last five years.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff Sport England employs to carry out research. [239583]
Barbara Follett: Sport England have advised that they employ six members of staff to carry out research.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his estimate is of the number of adults who participated in moderate intensity sport at least three times a week in each of the last five years. [239625]
Mr. Sutcliffe: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding (a) the National Lottery and (b) his Department has allocated to support (1) (i) individual athletes and (ii) athletics national governing bodies in each year since 1997; [239378]
(2) (i) individual badminton players and (ii) badminton national governing bodies in each year since 1997; [239389]
(3) (i) individual boxers and (ii) boxing national governing bodies in each year since 1997; [239388]
(4) (i) individual canoeists and (ii) canoeing national governing bodies in each year since 1997; [239386]
(5) (i) individual gymnasts and (ii) gymnastics national governing bodies in each year since 1997; [239377]
(6) (i) individual sailors and (ii) sailing national governing bodies in each year since 1997; [239376]
(7) (i) individual tennis players and (ii) tennis national governing bodies in each year since 1997; [239375]
(8) (i) individual rowers and (ii) rowing national governing bodies in each year since 1997. [239462]
Barbara Follett: DCMS exchequer funding does not directly fund individual athletes, and exchequer funding for National Governing Bodies is channelled through UK Sport and Sport England. National lottery funding for individual athletes and National Governing Bodies is channelled primarily through UK Sport and Sport England.
UK Sport has advised that the following funding has been granted towards elite athletics, badminton, boxing, canoeing, gymnastics, hockey, rowing, sailing and tennis since 1997.1 have asked Sport England to write with details of the allocated funding in their areas of responsibility.
UK Sport has provided the following information on lottery funding for athletes personal awards since 1997:
| APA | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2198W—continued
UK Sport has provided the following information on lottery funding to National Governing Bodies since 1997:
| Lottery | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003/04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
(b) UK Sport has provided the following information on exchequer funding for National Governing Bodies since 1997:
| Exchequer | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent per capita from the public purse on sporting infrastructure in each of the last five years. [239626]
Mr. Sutcliffe: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations the Amateur Swimming Association has made to his Department on his policy of getting two million more people active by 2012; and if he will place a copy of each in the Library. [237586]
Andy Burnham: The Department has not received representations from the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) in relation to the policy of getting 2 million more people active by 2012. As the National Governing Body of Swimming, the ASA are working with Sport England to develop their new whole sport plan. This will identify the contribution they will make to Sport England's commitment of getting 1 million more people playing sport by 2012, as part of the wider 2 million target. The ASA are also working with the Department, Sport England and the LGA to develop the free swimming offer.
Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consideration he has given to consulting the Swimming Teachers' Association on future work and policy initiatives concerning swimming on the same basis as he consults the Amateur Swimming Association. [239935]
Andy Burnham: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many local authorities have taken up grants for free swimming for the under-16s. [238737]
Andy Burnham: The Government's Free Swimming Programme will begin on 1 April 2009. The closing date for local authorities to confirm their participation in all elements of the programme has now passed. We are collating responses and I will be making an announcement shortly.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding his Department made available to theatre companies in (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency and (b) England in each year between 1999 and 2007. [239349]
Barbara Follett: The information requested, provided by Arts Council England, is set out in the following tables.
| (a) Regularly funded theatre organisations in the constituency of Hemel Hempstead | |
| Grant-in-aid (£) | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2200W—continued
| (b) Regularly funded theatre organisations in England | |
| Grant-in-aid (£) | |
| Note: Prior to 2002-03, the Regional Arts Boards were independent bodies and maintained records according to their own systems and requirements. Consequently, it is not possible to provide consolidated figures for England prior to this year. | |
In addition, Lottery funding has been provided for theatre-related activity as set out in the table. There have been no theatre-related Lottery awards in Hemel Hempstead in the period in question.
| Lottery funding for theatre-related activity | |
| Funding (£) | |
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to develop a satellite account for tourism statistics; and if he will make a statement. [238018]
Barbara Follett: A Tourism Intelligence Unit funded by the English Tourism Intelligence Partnership was set up by the Office National Statistics in August 2008. The aim of the unit is to make improvements to national and regional tourism statistics, especially those that relate to the tourism industry, the visitor economy and the economic impact of tourism.
One of the first items on the work programme of the unit is to review existing Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSAs) and to plan how these could be used and developed in future.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the average amount spent per visit during tourism day trips to (a) seaside towns, (b) cities and (c) rural destinations in each of the last 10 years. [238302]
Barbara Follett: Information on day trips is gathered through Day Visits Surveys which are run on an intermittent basis. Surveys were conducted in 1998 and in 2002-03 for Great Britain, and in 2005 for England only. The available information on average spend per day trip to the seaside, town/city and countryside in the last 10 years is therefore as follows:
| Year (and scope of survey) | Destination | Average expenditure per trip (£) |
| (1) Expenditure in 2002 prices. (2) Expenditure in 2005 prices. Source: Leisure Day Visits Survey (1998, 2002/03) and England Leisure Visits Survey (2005) | ||
Please be aware that figures quoted above are not directly comparable due to changes in the survey methodologies.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the contribution made by tourism to the national economy in each of the last three years; and what estimate he has made of its expected contribution in each of the next three years. [239374]
Barbara Follett: The departmental estimate of the contribution made by tourism to the national economy in each of the last three years are as follows:
| Tourism consumption on UK trips (£ billion) | Tourism GVA as percentage of UK GVA | |
Estimates are based on the publication ‘UK Tourism Satellite Account—First Steps’.
No forecasts of expected contribution in the next three years have been made.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from which 10 countries the UK received the most visitors in each year since 1997. [239379]
Barbara Follett: Full information on the number of visitors from other countries to the UK, each year since 1993, is available through VisitBritain's insight and Market Intelligence section of its website. This can be found at the following link:
www.tourismtrade.org.uk/Images/country%20ranks%201993-2007_tcm12-37820.xls
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in the establishment of a tourism intelligence unit; and when he expects the unit to be operational. [239463]
Barbara Follett [holding answer 25 November 2008]: A Tourism Intelligence Unit funded by the English Tourism Intelligence Partnership was set up by the Office of National Statistics in August 2008. The aim of the unit is to make improvements to national and regional tourism statistics, especially those that relate to the tourism industry, the visitor economy and the economic impact of tourism.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when his Department’s Tourism Forum was wound up; and when it held its last meeting. [238029]
Barbara Follett: The Tourism Forum held its last meeting in December 2002 and was wound up by March 2003. It was replaced by the Tourism Review and Implementation Group (TRIG) which was set up to monitor progress against delivery of the Tomorrow’s Tourism Today strategy and to consider wider issues of productivity in the tourism industry. The TRIG, in turn was replaced by the Ministerial Advisory Group in January 2006 to develop and deliver the current DCMS Tourism Strategy; Winning: A tourism strategy for 2012 and beyond.
The Government have also maintained an ongoing engagement with the Tourism Alliance which was established with the support of my Department in 2001.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department has taken to share best practices in developing tourism between the principal seaside towns in England. [238092]
Barbara Follett: A cross-Whitehall coastal towns group, led by Communities and Local Government is working in partnership with a regional development agency (RDA)-led coastal towns network to improve knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing coastal towns in order to inform action at a national and sub-national level. RDAs have a key role to play in helping coastal areas in their regions to achieve their full economic potential, as part of wider regional strategies to deliver sustainable growth. My Department is represented on that group and we continue to work closely with the RDAs on strategic leadership of tourism and important aspect of economic growth.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the amount that domestic visitors to UK coastal destinations spent in (a) 1978, (b) 1988, (c) 1998 and (d) the latest year for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the amount that domestic visitors to each principal seaside town spent in each of the last 10 years. [238300]
Barbara Follett: Information on expenditure by United Kingdom residents in coastal destinations is available from the United Kingdom Tourism Survey, but this information is not broken down by town. Comparable data is not available before 2000 and the latest year for which data is available is 2007.
Based on the UK Tourism Survey 2007 UK residents spent £4.9 billion on domestic overnight trips to the seaside.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the potential for seaside towns to encourage tourists by means of niche marketing; and what support he provides for such activities. [238552]
Barbara Follett: I have made no specific assessment of the potential for seaside towns to encourage tourists by means of niche marketing.
In August, my Department announced the first series of projects to be funded through the Sea Change programme, which is intended to boost regeneration in coastal areas through investment in culture and heritage. The scheme, which will run for three years to 2011, giving £45 million in total, will encourage new visitors to coastal areas and help support and enrich existing communities.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) guest houses, (b) hotels, (c) bed and breakfasts and (d) other guest accommodation properties were registered for tourism use in each of the principal seaside towns of England in each of the last 20 years. [238635]
Barbara Follett: This information is not centrally held, as there is no statutory register of accommodation for tourism use in England. Visitors seeking accommodation in seaside towns can use VisitBritain’s online directory which has listings of over 37,000 places to stay in Britain and is available at
http://www.visitbritain.co.uk/accommodation/
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to make London tourist attractions more accessible to disabled people before 2012. [233840]
Barbara Follett: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what estimate he has made of the percentage of visitor accommodation in England which was accredited by tourist authorities in each year since 1997; [230774]
(2) what percentage of visitor accommodation in each region was accredited in each year since 1997. [231349][231349]
Barbara Follett [holding answer 27 October 2008]: My Department does not hold centrally the percentage figures of visitor accommodation in England accredited by tourist authorities in each year since 1997.
However, percentage figures for serviced accommodation in England (i.e. Hotels and B&Bs/Guest Houses/Inns etc) quality assessed by VisitBritain are as follows:
| Percentage | |
| Source: VisitBritain | |
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment he has made of his Department's Fitness for Purpose: Quality Counts initiative of 2005; and if he will make a statement; [238027]
(2) what assessment he has made of his Department's Fit For Your Trip? initiative of 2003; and if he will make a statement. [238028]
Barbara Follett: In 2003 my Department announced that six local authorities had been selected as pilots under the Fitness for Purpose initiative which is intended to promote better inspection and regulation of tourist accommodation in the United Kingdom, the aim of this initiative is to tackle poor safety and trading standards to ensure that minimum legal requirements are met.
Following a review in which it was agreed that the pilot phase had been successful, my Department and the Local Government Association produced a guide for local authorities entitled, “Fitness for Purpose: Quality Counts”. This covers issues like standards of accommodation; minimum legal requirements for health and safety; food safety and hygiene; fire safety and trading standards and gives advice on the handling of complaints. The Guide is available at the following link:
<http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/3711.aspx>
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2205W—continued
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) Sport England and (b) Arts Council England spent on advertising vacancies in each of the last five years. [225463]
Barbara Follett: Sport England and Arts Council England advise that their financial systems do not easily allow disaggregation of advertising from other recruitment costs. To undertake a manual search would incur disproportionate costs.
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Visit Britain offices there are (a) in the UK and (b) overseas. [231621]
Barbara Follett [holding answer 30 October 2008]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my predecessor my right hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge) on 15 October 2007, Official Report, column 830W.
VisitBritain inform us that they have two offices in the United Kingdom, its headquarters office in Hammersmith, London, and the Britain and London Visitor Centre in Regent Street, London.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press and communications officers are employed by Visit Britain. [224848]
Barbara Follett: VisitBritain inform us that they employ seven full-time equivalent members of staff on press and communications functions in the UK. 23 posts in overseas offices also have press or communications roles.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Visit Britain spent on employing press and communications officers in each of the last five years. [226249]
Barbara Follett: VisitBritain inform us that due to the complex nature of their domestic and overseas work this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff work for VisitBritain; and how many staff are planned to work for VisitBritain in each of the next three years. [231620]
Barbara Follett: [holding answer Thursday 30 October 2008]:VisitBritain employed an average of 403 staff during the last financial year. As it is currently undertaking a restructuring exercise it is difficult to provide figures in the requested manner, but VisitBritain inform us that staffing in the VisitBritain/VisitEngland's Thames Tower headquarters is expected to reduce by 40 per cent. from 228 to around 135, and staff posts in overseas offices are expected to be reduced by 25 per cent. from 194 to around 145. These predictions are likely to be affected by market forces and business needs during the three year period in question.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff Visit Britain and its predecessor employed in each year since 1997. [239391]
Barbara Follett: VisitBritain was created on 1 April 2003, formed by the merger of the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourism Council. VisitBritain inform us that the average number of people they have employed is as follows:
| Year ending March | Number |
VisitBritain inform us that prior to 2003, the average number of people employed by the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourism Council (from 1999-2003; and the English Tourist Board before that) were as follows:
| Year ending March | BTA | ETC/ETB |
| Note: Figures provided by VisitBritain from Statutory accounts. | ||
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff were employed in each of VisitBritain’s overseas offices in each of the last five years. [239464]
Barbara Follett: VisitBritain have provided the information in the following table. The headcount list includes permanent and contract staff. VisitBritain inform us that they do not hold information for the period since April 2007.
| Staff employed in VisitBritain’s overseas offices from April 2003 to April 2007 | |||||
| As at April each year | |||||
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
| (1) Office moved from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo in early 2007. | |||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2208W—continued
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in which overseas locations Visit Britain maintained an office in each year since 1997; and how many overseas offices he expects will be in operation in 2009. [238182]
Barbara Follett: The information in the table has been provided by VisitBritain. In addition VisitBritain now also have a representative in Moscow, Russia.
VisitBritain inform us they expect that in 2009 the overseas offices are likely to be the same as those listed for 2008.
| VisitBritain’s overseas office locations 1996-2008 | |||||||||||||
| Overseas offices | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|
Buenos Aires, Argentina (Virtual presence in this market, managed from Brazil) | |||||||||||||
|
Sydney, Australia (Virtual presence in New Zealand operated from Australia) | |||||||||||||
|
Beijing, China (Representatives now in Beijing and Shanghai) | |||||||||||||
|
Prague, Czech Republic (Representative in this market since end of December 2007) | |||||||||||||
|
Helsinki, Finland (British Travel Centre) (Virtual presence in this market, managed from Sweden) | |||||||||||||
|
Berlin, Germany (Virtual presence in Austria and Switzerland operated from Germany) | |||||||||||||
|
New Delhi, India (In addition, representatives now in Mumbai and Bangalore) | |||||||||||||
|
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Representative in this market since 2005) | |||||||||||||
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Mexico (Virtual presence in this market, managed from Brazil) | |||||||||||||
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Auckland, New Zealand (Virtual presence in this market, managed from Australia) | |||||||||||||
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Warsaw, Poland (Representative in this market since beginning of Jan. 2008) | |||||||||||||
|
Johannesburg, South Africa (Representative in this market since 2006) | |||||||||||||
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Seoul, South Korea (Representative in this market since 2005) | |||||||||||||
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Stockholm, Sweden (Virtual presence in Finland operated from Sweden) | |||||||||||||
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Zurich, Switzerland (Virtual presence in this market since 2004, managed from Germany) | |||||||||||||
|
Bangkok, Thailand (Representative in this market since 2005) | |||||||||||||
| (1) List of BTA’s overseas offices from the 1996 Annual Accounts. (2) List of BTA’s overseas offices from the 1997 Annual Report. BTA also had representation in Athens, Bangalore, Bombay, Calcutta, Cyprus, Istanbul, Karachi and Vienna. (3) List of BTA’s overseas offices from the 1998 Annual Report. BTA also had representation in Athens, Bangalore, Bombay, Calcutta, Cyprus, Istanbul, Karachi, Vienna and Prague. (4) List of BTA’s overseas offices from the 1999 Annual Report. BTA was represented jointly with the British Council in the following places: Santiago, Chile; Bogota, Columbia; Mexico City, Mexico; Caracas, Venezuela; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Seoul, South Korea; Taipei, Taiwan; Bangkok, Thailand; Prague, Czech Republic; Budapest, Hungary; Warsaw, Poland; Lisbon, Portugal; and Vienna, Austria. (5) List of BTA’s overseas offices from the 2000 Annual Report. BTA was represented jointly with the British Council in the following places: Santiago, Chile; Bogota, Columbia; Mexico City, Mexico; Caracas, Venezuela; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Seoul, South Korea; Taipei, Taiwan; Bangkok, Thailand; Prague, Czech Republic; Budapest, Hungary; Warsaw, Poland; Lisbon, Portugal; and Vienna, Austria. (6) List of BTA’s overseas offices from the 2001 Annual Report. (7) List of BTA’s overseas offices from the 2002 Annual Report. Sources: Various sources have been used for the information from 2003-08. | |||||||||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2212W—continued
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to launch the World Creative Business Forum prototype; and if he will make a statement. [239591]
Andy Burnham: The Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism and I held an inaugural meeting in Liverpool on 20 November with over 20 individuals who are "ambassadors" for the World Creative Business Conference (now called c&binet: creativity and business international network). We discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the creative industries and will, along with contributions from many other sources, inform the agenda of the first main c&binet event on 26-28 October 2009. The c&binet website, www.cabinetforum.org, was launched on 20 November.
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2008, Offi cial Report, columns 606-07W, on Department written questions, what estimate he made of the cost of answering the question fully. [239291]
Andy Burnham: A full response would require a manual search of 11,000 written parliamentary questions tabled during each parliamentary Session. For the current parliamentary Session, a minimum of 2,300 written answers would have to be manually checked.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget for the Advisory Panel on Country Information of the UK Border Agency and its predecessor was in each of the last three years. [238867]
Jacqui Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost of alcohol-related crime in (a) Hemel Hempstead constituency and (b) Hertfordshire since the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. [239345]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when alcohol arrest referral pilots will be extended to under 18 year olds. [234291]
Jacqui Smith: A small number of alcohol arrest referral pilots for young people aged 10 to 17-years-old will commence operation early in the new year.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many retailers have been prosecuted for persistently selling alcohol to a person under 18 years in each of the last five years. [239621]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) yellow cards and (b) red cards have been issued to licensees under her Department's alert system referred to in the Youth Alcohol Action Plan. [239691]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for animal testing licences were (a) received and (b) approved by her Department in each of the last five years. [239361]
Meg Hillier: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much she has allocated to the Jewish community in England and Wales for self-protection measures in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09; what recent representations she has received on such assistance; what meetings since June (i) she, (ii) Ministers in her Department and (iii) officials have had with the Jewish community on such funding; and if she will make a statement. [165737]
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many breaches of anti-social behaviour orders have resulted in a criminal conviction in the London borough of Bexley since the inception of the orders. [238134]
Mr. Alan Campbell: Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) became available from April 1999. The latest ASBO breach data is only available for the period 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2006 and are not collected below criminal justice system (CJS) area.
Information collected centrally on the number of ASBO breaches only counts those instances where the breach of ASBO was proven in court. Between 1 June 2000 and 31 December 2006, ASBOs were proven in court to have been breached on 2,077 occasions in the Greater London CJS area.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been (a) issued and (b) breached in (i) Ashford constituency and (ii) Kent since 31 December 2005. [239277]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding her Department allocated to tackle anti-social behaviour in (a) Tamworth constituency, (b) Staffordshire and (c) the West Midlands in each year since the inception of such programmes. [237337]
Mr. Alan Campbell: As with all other Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs), Tamworth was allocated £25,000 a year from 2003-04 as a contribution towards funding an ASB Co-ordinator Post. In 2005-06, in England the antisocial co-ordinators grant was pooled within the safer and stronger communities fund. This pooled budget supports the delivery of outcomes and indicators relating to anti-social behaviour in local area agreements (LAAs).
Respect Programmes in Staffordshire and West Midlands also have an impact on anti-social behaviour. These programmes were designed to kick start a change in the way the area worked to tackle antisocial behaviour. Other Home Office led activities also act to tackle antisocial behaviour, for example the introduction of community support officers, but a monetary value cannot be assigned to that contribution.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many acceptable behaviour contracts have been issued to young people caught drinking and behaving anti-socially in public in each of the last five years. [239690]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were being required to report to a particular centre in December 2007. [179770]
Mr. Woolas: 10,462 asylum seekers are recorded as having been required to report in December 2007. This data is based on management information and is not a national statistic. It should be treated as provisional as it is subject to change.
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2008, Official Report, column 871W, on asylum, when she expects the asylum tipping point figures for 2007 to be available. [225575]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 9 October 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refused asylum seekers of each nationality her Department estimates are living in each local authority area in the UK. [229284]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the additional cost to local authorities of decisions made under the Case Resolution Programme for asylum legacy cases which have resulted in the granting of leave to remain. [231582]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her estimate is of the number of failed asylum seekers from (a) central and southern Iraq and (b) Zimbabwe who remain in the UK; and what her estimate is of the numbers in each case who have returned voluntarily since the Government decision not to enforce the return of such people. [236795]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which countries her Department cannot return unsuccessful asylum seekers on humanitarian grounds; and how many unsuccessful asylum seekers from each such country were present in the United Kingdom at 1 November 2008. [239278]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) individuals and (b) asylum seekers known to be resident in the UK are on the UN list of those belonging to or associated with al-Qaeda. [237561]
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were refused asylum on grounds that they are suspected of (a) a crime against peace, (b) a war crime and (c) a crime against humanity under article 1F(a) of the UN Refugee Convention in each year since 2000. [224630]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers who were refused asylum under article 1F(a) of the UN Refugee Convention were granted (a) humanitarian protection, (b) discretionary leave, (c) exceptional leave to remain and (d) indefinite leave to remain in each year since 2000. [224631]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers who were refused asylum under article 1F(a) of the UN Refugee Convention were refused (a) humanitarian protection, (b) discretionary leave, (c) exceptional leave to remain and (d) indefinite leave to remain in each year since 2000. [224632]
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unsuccessful asylum seekers were in receipt of section 4 support at 1 November 2008. [239279]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of providing (a) asylum support and (b) accommodation in asylum support in each year since 2000; how many units of accommodation were provided in each of those years; and what the cost of the National Asylum Support Service was in each year since its inception. [177471]
Mr. Woolas: The table to this reply shows the cost from 2000-01 to 2006-07 of: Home Office expenditure on asylum support made available via the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) or its equivalent, including the administrative costs of NASS or its equivalent; total asylum support costs; and the cost of accommodation for asylum seekers.
We are unable to provide information on the number of accommodation units provided because the data cannot be extracted without disproportionate cost.
| Home Office expenditure on asylum support for asylum seekers 2000-01—2006-07 | |||
| £million | |||
| Of which: | Of which: | ||
| Home Offic e expenditure on asylum support( 1) | Support costs( 2) | Accommodation costs( 3) | |
| (1) Represents Home Office expenditure on asylum support channelled through the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) or equivalent function. This includes actual support costs and related NASS, or equivalent, administration costs. (2) Support costs cover accommodation and subsistence costs of persons in receipt of support under section 95, section 98 and section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. It also includes funding of support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children and the costs of transporting asylum seekers to and from accommodation. (3) Excludes accommodation costs of unaccompanied asylum seeking children. Note: Years refer to financial years, April to March. | |||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2217W—continued
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Iraqis who have successfully submitted applications under the (a) Locally Employed Staff Assistance Scheme for resettlement in the UK and (b) Gateway Refugee Protection programme are awaiting transfer in (i) Jordan, (ii) Iraq and (iii) Syria. [233223]
Ms Barlow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports she has received from (a) Sussex Police and (b) other sources on the disappearance of two minors from a social services hostel in Hove on 28 September 2006 before the outcome of their asylum hearing had been determined; what investigation there has been of the disappearance; and if she will make a statement. [230770]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the situation of Zimbabwean refugees who have been denied leave to remain in the UK but who will not be deported due to the security situation in their country of origin. [237644]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on enforced removals to Zimbabwe. [237645]
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pilot schemes for new biometric technology have been carried out over the last five years. [232821]
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what deadlines have been set in respect of (a) outbound and (b) inbound travel document information under the e-borders scheme for (i) leisure aviation, (ii) scheduled aviation, (iii) ferries, (iv) international rail, (v) boats, (vi) light aviation and (vii) other sectors. [239288]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she made of the likelihood of compliance with requirements set under the e-borders scheme for inbound travel documents of those charter and leisure operators serving popular tourist destinations by 2009. [239289]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the projected benefits to the leisure and charter industry from the e-borders scheme to begin to flow. [239290]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information she holds on whether allegations of threats of violence have been reported to the police by members of the British Nationalist Party since the Party's membership list was posted on the internet; and if she will make a statement. [239215]
Mr. Coaker: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of people resident in the UK hold UK citizenship; [225102]
(2) when she plans to reply to question 225102, tabled on 3 October 2008, on UK citizenship. [238445]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people of each nationality were granted UK citizenship in the periods (a) from 1977 to 1987, (b) from 1987 to 1997 and (c) from 1997 to the most recent year for which figures are available. [233538]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people granted British citizenship had not attended citizenship ceremonies in each year since their introduction. [234786]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 11 November 2008]: The requirement to attend a citizenship ceremony was inserted into the British Nationality Act 1981 by section 3 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 with reference to Schedule 1 of that Act.
Section 42 of the British Nationality Act 1981 (the Act) sets down the requirement that persons of full age (being 18 years) should not be registered or naturalised as a British citizen or British overseas territories citizen unless they have made the relevant citizenship oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony.
Discretion may be exercised under section 42(6) of the Act to disapply the requirement to attend a citizenship ceremony in the special circumstances of a particular case.
The Annex provides the requested breakdown of figures since commencement of this requirement in 2004 of those who have not attended a citizenship ceremony. Children are exempted in law from the requirement to attend a citizenship ceremony and this is also represented in the Annex.
In total, 465,595 persons of full age who were therefore required to attend a citizenship ceremony were registered or naturalised as a British citizen between 2004 and 2007. A total of 650, equating to 0.14 per cent. of this total were exempted from the requirement to attend a citizenship ceremony as a result of the exercise of discretion by the Secretary of State during this period.
Exemptions are only granted in exceptional circumstances; for example, when a requirement to attend a ceremony would have national security implications or when an applicant cannot attend due to chronic illness or disability.
| Annex A: nationality grants and exemptions from ceremonies—(excluding ceremony attended) | |||||||
| Ceremony overseas (exemption) | Grant | Total grants over 18 (excluding minors) | |||||
| Outcome year | Total not attended a ceremony | Over 18 | Under 18 | Over 18 | Under 18 | Over 18 | Percentage not attended |
| * = Negligible i.e. 2 or less. Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5. 2. Ceremonies were introduced on 1 January 2004, therefore only application dates post 1 January 2004. Source: Local Management Information | |||||||
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 788W, on British nationality: assessments, if she will give a breakdown by nationality of the pass rate for the Life in the UK test in each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available. [237784]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 20 November 2008]: The figures in the table provide the nationality pass rates for the Life in the UK test. The nationality is recorded from the identity document presented by the candidate.
Where the data are blank no candidates with that nationality took the test in that quarter.
It is unclear why British citizens would wish to take the test and some of these records may be inputting errors.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made by (a) air and (b) rail. [239421]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the reclassification of cannabis as a Class B drug will be implemented; and on what date the new law will take effect. [233050]
Mr. Alan Campbell: [holding answer 4 November 2008] The draft Order to reclassify cannabis to a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was laid on 13 October. If approved by Parliament, cannabis will be reclassified on 26 January 2009.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effects of the reclassifying of cannabis on the number of people receiving a custodial sentence for offences relating to the drug each year. [227806]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 20 October 2008]: A full regulatory impact assessment (IA) has been published to accompany the parliamentary draft order to reclassify cannabis from class C to class B under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The IA can be found at:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/draft/em/ukdsiem_9780110846088_en.pdf
Based on a number of key assumptions, the IA forecasts the potential liabilities associated with the change in classification and the proposed accompanying enforcement approach, including an estimate of the number of offenders likely to receive a custodial sentence for a possession offence. For the supply, trafficking and production offences the IA set out the reasons why an assessment has not been made at this time. These include that fact that the maximum sentence prescribed by the 1971 Act is unchanged at 14 years; current Crown court guideline judgments relate to cannabis when it was a class B offence; and new guidelines from the Sentencing Guidelines Council are due shortly.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure that multiple cannabis warnings are not issued by the police to the same person. [232130]
Mr. Coaker: [ h olding answer 3 November 2008]: The Home Secretary has accepted the Association of Chief Police Officers' proposal for an enforcement approach that allows for a process of escalation for simple possession in England and Wales. Effective recording is important. Subject to consultation and Parliamentary approval, the new approach will include Penalty Notices for Disorder for cannabis possession and these will be recorded on the Police National Computer. The new Pentip 24 hour national fixed penalty database due to be available from 2010 will be developed to include a facility to also record cannabis warnings. In the interim, it is the responsibility of individual forces to determine how they record cannabis warnings. ACPO will ensure that all forces are fully aware of the importance of more accurately recording cannabis warnings locally.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance her Department has provided to police forces on the appropriateness of issuing (a) warnings, (b) cautions and (c) penalty notices for disorder for the possession and supply of cannabis. [232132]
Mr. Coaker:
[ h olding answer 3 November 2008]: The Home Office has not issued guidance for any of these disposals in relation to the possession and supply of cannabis. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) issued updated guidance on dealing with cannabis possession in January 2007. Guidance on the use of the simple caution is set out in Home Office circular 16/2008. This is general guidance and does not deal specifically with drugs offences. Penalty Notices for disorder are not currently a disposal option for cannabis offences.
However, subject to parliamentary approval, they could become part of the proposed escalation policy for cannabis possession.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average amount of police time taken to issue (a) a simple caution for cannabis possession and (b) a cannabis warning was in the latest period for which figures are available. [234214]
Jacqui Smith: My Department does not hold figures on the specific average times in relation to issuing cautions for cannabis offences or for issuing cannabis warnings.
However, as part of the regulatory impact assessment carried out to accompany the draft order to reclassify cannabis from Class C to Class B under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 an estimate of police time to issue a cannabis warning was made. This estimate, based on operational advice and experience from Merseyside and the Metropolitan police forces and available research, was 0.81 hrs (i.e. 48.6 minutes). No specific time estimate for issuing a caution over and above the time taken for arrest was made in the impact assessment. The impact assessment is published at:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/draft/em/ukdsiem_9780110846088_en.pdf
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2222W—continued
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much (a) her Department and (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (i) cards, (ii) parties and (iii) decorations in the last 12 months. [237485]
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will list the crime and disorder reduction partnerships that cover each of the principal seaside towns in descending order according to their efficiency ranking. [238633]
Mr. Alan Campbell: Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) in England and Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) in Wales are not ranked centrally according to their efficiency. The requirements for CDRPs/CSPs to publish and produce three yearly audits and to report annually to the Home Secretary were repealed in 2007.
They were replaced by new statutory requirements in 2007 which introduced national minimum standards for partnership working based around six Hallmarks of Effective Practice.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences relating to (a) drugs, (b) shoplifting and (c) violence against the person there were in (i) each principal seaside town, (ii) each ward in each seaside town and (iii) each lower super output area in each seaside town in each of the last 10 years; and if she will rank such areas in descending order of number of offences for the latest year for which figures are available. [238636]
Mr. Alan Campbell: Information is not available in the form requested. The Home Office collects and publishes statistics for each local authority area in England and Wales. It is likely that some seaside towns will equate to local authority areas.
The Home Office does not currently collect recorded crime data at Super Output Area (SOA) level for all police forces in England and Wales although data have been collected at this level for a selection of forces. These data are available on the neighbourhood statistics website at:
http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/
The Home Office intends to extend the coverage of the SOA recorded crime data collection, with full England and Wales coverage expected to be available during 2009-10.
Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been made against police community support officers in each police authority area in each of the last five years; and what analysis her Department has conducted on the nature of complaints made. [239468]
Mr. Coaker: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the annual cost of providing allowances to directly elected crime and policing representatives as proposed in the Policing Green Paper. [236778]
Mr. Coaker: I will write to my right hon. Friend.
Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs she estimates would be incurred in the holding of elections for crime and policing representatives across England and Wales as proposed in the Policing Green Paper. [236779]
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials in her Department have responsibility for tackling crime against business listed in their job specification; and what the (a) job title and (b) role of each is. [236972]
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the percentage change in number of crimes committed in the Crosby constituency between 2007 and 2008 is; [236707]
(2) what the percentage change in the number of violent crimes committed in Crosby constituency between 2007 and 2008 is. [236708]
Mr. Coaker: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps her Department has taken to improve crime detection rates in (a) Hemel Hempstead, (b) Hertfordshire and (c) England and Wales. [238104]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration she gave to including intellectual property crime in the National Community Safety plan for 2008 to 2011; and if she will make a statement. [238357]
Mr. Alan Campbell: The National Community Safety Plan (NCSP) was revised in December 2007 to communicate how the vision and objectives set out in our national Crime Strategy ("Cutting Crime: A New Partnership 2008-2011") have been embodied in the current cross-cutting PSA framework. Both documents now give local partners a greater flexibility in setting their crime priorities, in accordance with local needs and in consultation across the local community.
Both the Crime Strategy and the NCSP cover organised crime, which includes some intellectual property crime. More widely, recent legislation introduced by the Home Office, including new asset recovery powers and the Serious Crime Act 2007, provide important tools in tackling intellectual property crime. The UK Intellectual Property Office has lead responsibility for the Government's national strategy on intellectual property crime and produces regular enforcement reports.
Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government has taken on reducing petty crime in multi-occupancy housing in areas with large migrant worker populations. [187315]
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to review the procedures for recording crime statistics following the recent discovery of faults in the recording mechanisms for serious crime. [232172]
Mr. Coaker: The recording of crime is governed by the National Crime Recording Standard and the Home Office Counting Rules for Recorded Crime, both of which are publicly available documents. These standards are supported by the National Crime Recording Steering Group which contains members from a range of police forces, ACPO, Federation, HMIC, Audit Commission, Home Office officials and others where appropriate.
Where concerns are raised through this feedback mechanism, I will continue to take a measured and proportionate approach to ensure the public can have confidence in the accuracy of the recorded crime statistics.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of (a) vehicle theft, (b) domestic burglary and (c) violent crime there were in each police force area in Wales in each of the last 17 years, broken down by sub-category of crime. [239394]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal wildlife items were seized in the United Kingdom in each year since 2000; and if she will make a statement. [169548]
Mr. Alan Campbell: The Home Office does not collect statistics from police forces regarding seizures of illegal wildlife items. However, HM Revenue and Customs has published information in their Annual Reports since 2003 regarding items that they have seized under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This is detailed in the following table:
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | ||||||
| Number of seizures | Number of items seized | Number of seizures | Number of items seized | Number of seizures | Number of items seized | Number of seizures | Number of items seized | Number of seizures | Number of items seized | |
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent incidents were recorded by the British Crime Survey in each police force area in 2007-08. [233568]
David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 27th October 2008, Official Report, column 549W, on the Kingsnorth Climate Camp, what reports she has received on the injuries sustained by the 70 police officers injured at the Kingsnorth Climate Camp; and how many such injuries were sustained as a result of direct contact with protestors. [234659]
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants have been employed by each of her Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. [239093]
Mr. Woolas: The requested figures are published in the Home Office annual departmental reports, copies of which are in the public domain and in the Common's Library.
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was paid in consultancy fees by her Department in each year since 1997. [171994]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2008, Official Report, column 793W, on departmental consultants, how many security passes her Department has issued to contractors providing consultancy services in the last 12 months; and if she will put in place measures to record the number of external consultants contracted to provide services for her Department. [239190]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2226W—continued
Mr. Grieve:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many private contractors have been granted access to personal data held by her
Department in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement; [226410]
(2) when she plans to reply to question 226410, tabled on 8 October 2008, on private contractors' access to personal data. [238562]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 13 October 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in (a) her Department and (b) its agencies confidential data have been downloaded on to compact discs (i) without and (ii) with encryption in the last 12 months. [232848]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many computer files containing personal data held by her Department are not encrypted. [233977]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many electronic and computer files her Department and its agencies lost in transit in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [239336]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials in her Department and its agencies are authorised to access electronic files and databases relating to an individual's (a) immigration status, (b) asylum application and (c) passport application; and if she will make a statement. [239337]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times (a) her Department and (b) the Border and Immigration Agency lost or misplaced databases containing data on (i) British citizens and (ii) foreign nationals in each of the last five years; what information relating to how many people was held on each lost or misplaced database; and if she will make a statement. [239338]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what audits her Department and its agencies have carried out in relation to personal data and IT equipment in each of the last 10 years. [176478]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks her Department and its agencies make on the immigration status of couriers working within her Department and its agencies; whether her Department requires courier companies to notify the Department if they discover among their employees an illegal worker who has worked handling documents on behalf of the Home Office and its agencies; and how many illegal workers have been discovered working for such couriers in each of the last three years. [239339]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sanctions are available in cases of departmental staff found to have committed disciplinary offences; and how many times each has been used in each of the last three years. [230203]
Mr. Woolas: The Department's disciplinary procedures are split into a number of stages -some informal and some formal. In cases of minor misconduct (such as isolated lateness) words of advice are often all that is needed to rectify matters. If there is persistent minor misconduct, or more serious or gross misconduct, then the formal procedures can be used.
Informal stage
First formal warning
Final formal warning
Other penalty short of dismissal
Dismissal
The number of penalties issued under the Department's disciplinary procedures within Home Office HQ, the UK Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and the Criminal Records Bureau during the last three years is shown in the following table.
| Table 1: Breakdown of disciplinary penalties issued across the Home Office( 1) | ||||
| First formal warning | Final formal warning | Other penalty short of dismissal( 2) | Dismissal | |
| (1) Information on cases at the informal stage is not recorded centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. (2) Other penalties short of dismissal are used when the disciplinary offence warrants more than a final warning, but is not sufficiently serious to warrant dismissal, such as downgrading or a bar on promotion for a specified period. (3) Where less than five people were given a penalty other than dismissal, further information has been withheld on confidentiality grounds. | ||||
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions she visited (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland in an official capacity in the last 12 months. [204394]
Mr. Woolas: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary visited Wales on 1 October 2008 and Scotland on 16 October 2008. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.
Mr. Jeremy Browne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees in her
Department took early retirement in each of the last five financial years; and at what total cost. [238954]
Mr. Woolas: The information requested is as follows:
(UKBA) (formally IND), Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), Identity and Passport Service (IPS) and National Probation Service (NPS).
| Table 1: Number of Early Retirements | |||||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
Costs of provisions made for Early Departures are published each year in the Home Office Consolidated Resource Accounts. Table 2 shows the provisions made for each financial year, for the full costs of Early Departures from 2003-04 to 2007-08.
Early Departures provisions were not reported separately for financial years 2003-04 and 2004-05, so we have provided a consolidated cost for these periods. These years encompass HO HQ, UKBA, IPS, CRB and HM Prison Service.
Table 2 shows years 2005-06 to 2007-08 the costs encompass HO HQ, UKBA, IPS, CRB and NPS.
| Table 2: Provisions made for each financial year | |||||
| £000 | |||||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in her Department have received gifts valued at £100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received in each case. [239631]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information technology projects are being undertaken by (a) her Department and (b) its agencies; what the (i) start date, (ii) original planned completion date, (iii) expected completion date, (iv) originally planned costs and (v) estimated costs are of each; and if she will make a statement. [209679]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information technology projects initiated by her Department have been cancelled prior to completion in the last five years; and what the cost of each such project was to the public purse. [221710]
Meg Hillier: In March 2008 Identity and Passport Service (IPS) decided to cancel the project designed to upgrade the existing electronic passport application system, and instead reverted to a more limited programme of enhancements to the existing system.
A full review of all costs incurred to the date of cancellation was undertaken and, where hardware and software were suitable for re-use, costs were retained. The total write-down of system assets since the project commenced in 2005 is £10.8 million.
This information was published on page 18 of the Identity and Passport Service’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008.
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what IT projects (a) her Department and (b) each of its agencies is undertaking; and what the most recent estimate of (i) the cost and (ii) the completion date of each is. [229154]
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend East of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 258W, on departmental information, whether any data not classed as core information and re-usable free of charge
has been sold by her Department and its agencies under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations in the last 12 months. [234020]
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by her Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year. [239085]
Mrs. May:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what independent inquiries have been commissioned by her Department in the last five years; what the (a) purpose and (b) cost was of each;
and what steps were taken following each such inquiry. [212322]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the right hon. Member.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2232W—continued
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which Government websites her Department is responsible; how many visitors each received in the last period for which figures are available; and what the cost of maintaining each site was in that period. [235031]
www.homeoffice.gov.uk
from April 2007 to March 2008.
The costs for all Home Office sites are embedded in budgets across the Department and could be extracted only at disproportionate cost.
| Home Office sites—not including sub-domains—Visitors April 2007 to March 2008 (where statistics are available) | |
| URL | |
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2008, Official Report, column 673W, on departmental internet, how many of the (a) absolute unique and (b) total visitors to her Department's mylifemyid website originated in London SW1. [236504]
Meg Hillier: It is not possible to provide the information requested as visitors to the website were not obliged to give their geographical location in order to contribute to the forum.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much surplus land (a) her Department and (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is. [236422]
Mr. Woolas: The Department and its Executive agencies have no surplus land. The National Policing Improvement Agency, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department is disposing of a single site of 19.18 hectares. This property is currently being sold and its book value for disposal is for the time being confidential.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has for each of the sites owned by her Department and registered on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land; what construction projects are planned for each site; and when she expects each site to be returned to use. [236437]
Mr. Woolas:
The National Policing Improvement Agency a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department is currently disposing of the former police training centre in Ashford Kent. The successful purchaser will be responsible for deciding on their construction projects and when the site will be returned to use. The Department has no other surplus sites to
dispose of. Three surplus NPIA houses shown on the September 2008 register have been sold.
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) equipment and (b) data was lost by her Department in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement. [231441]
Mr. Woolas: In 2007-08, three laptops were reported as lost and 12 reported as stolen. Two memory sticks were reported lost and one stolen, but they did not contain personal information. Two hard drives were reported stolen but were unformatted and therefore contained no data. Two CDs containing personal data were reported lost and notified to the Information Commissioner. No desktops were reported lost or stolen.
The Home Office published details of the protected personal data related incidents notified to the Information Commissioners Office in 2007-08 in its Resource Accounts published on 8 August 2008.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in her Department there were (a) on a headcount basis and (b) on a full-time equivalent basis at the end of each of the last five financial years. [222597]
Mr. Woolas: The information is summarised as follows for ease of reference.
HQ and UKBA are unable to provide headcount information for 2003-04 and 2004-05 without incurring a disproportionate cost due to moving to a new database during that period.
The Identity and Passport Service is unable to provide headcount data without incurring disproportionate cost due to current upgrades of their database.
Please be aware that the structure of the Home Office changed significantly between 2003 and 2008. Staffing details are available in the Annual Reports.
| Home Office headcount and FTE( 1) | ||||||||||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07( 2) | 2007-08( 3) | ||||||
| HC | FTE | HC | FTE | HC | FTE | HC | FTE | HC | FTE | |
| (1) FTE figures include permanent civil servants, casual and agency/contractors. (2) FTE and headcount for 2006-07 does not include Communities Group which left to join Department of Communities and Local Government. (3) FTE and headcount for 2007-08 does not include National Offender Management Service and Office of Criminal Justice which left the Department and joined Ministry of Justice in May 2007 neither does it include the Respect Task Force. (4) FTE for IPS and CRB is taken direct from business areas and not departmental reports. Figures for IPS are for permanent members of staff only. (5) CRB did not record FTE data before 2004. | ||||||||||
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 17 September 2008, Official Report, column 2257W, on departmental marketing, Department branding and marketing, how much was spent by (a) her Department, (b) the UK Border Agency, (c) the Identity and Passport Service and (d) the Criminal Records Bureau and their predecessors in each of the last five years. [232816]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in her Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08. [237473]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. [239071]
Mr. Woolas: The following table show a departmental breakdown of spend on advertising and publicity over the last five years:
| £ | ||||
| Home Office | UKBA | IPS | CRB | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2235W—continued
The Home Office is responsible for some of the public's biggest concerns such as counter terrorism, crime and immigration. The level of marketing spend amounts to less than 1 per cent. of the Home Office overall budget. In order to match resources to priorities we focus on where we will get the most impact and value and where we will deliver the greatest return on investment.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations provided media monitoring services to (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last three years; and what the total cost was of each contract over that period. [231325]
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent staff in her Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years. [237506]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in her Department has been in the last 12 months. [238170]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to her Department of provision of office facilities to (a) special advisers and (b) press officers (i) was in the last 12 months and (ii) has been since 1997-98. [233520]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what official (a) lunches, (b) dinners and (c) receptions she has hosted in each of the last three years; and what the (i) location, (ii) cost and (iii) purpose was of each event. [200493]
Mr. Woolas: This information is not held centrally.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many receptions she has hosted and funded in her capacity as Secretary of State in the last 12 months; which individuals and organisations (a) were invited to and (b) attended each reception; and what the cost was of each reception. [203847]
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people aged over (a) 55 and (b) 60 years were recruited by her Department in 2007-08; and what percentage in each case this was of the number of new recruits. [228753]
Mr. Woolas: The information for the Home Office Headquarters (HQ), the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) and the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) is available only at disproportionate cost.
In 2007-08, the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) recruited six employees aged over 55 which represented 5.4 per cent. of all new entrants. No one aged 60 or over was recruited.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people recruited by her Department in 2007-08 were aged over (a) 55 years and (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case. [235243]
Mr. Woolas: The information for the Home Office Headquarters (HQ), the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) and the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) is available only at disproportionate cost.
In 2007-08, the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) recruited six employees aged over 55 which represented 5.4 per cent. of all new entrants. No one aged 60 or over was recruited.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average annual change was in the gross pay per staff member (a) in her Department and (b) in the highest decile of her Department in each of the last five years. [187252]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria a civil servant in her Department must fulfil to be (a) considered for and (b) awarded a bonus; and how much was spent on bonus awards for civil servants in her Department in each of the last five financial years for which figures are available. [192081]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 10 March 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what bonuses were paid by her Department in 2007-08; to which members of staff; and for what purposes. [239671]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of civil servants in her Department and its agencies are members of the (a) Classic, (b) Classic Plus, (c) Nuvos and (d) Premium civil service pension schemes. [229530]
Mr. Woolas: The breakdown of members by PCSPS scheme, and the proportion of members in each scheme is shown as follows. The figures reflect the position as at 30 September 2008.
| Home Office and UKBA | Proportion of members in scheme (percentage) | CRB | Proportion of members in scheme (percentage) | IPS | Proportion of members in scheme (percentage) | |
Dr. Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) passports, (b) visas and (c) other documents posted to applicants by her Department were lost in the post in each of the last seven years. [228976]
Meg Hillier: I will write to the hon. Member.
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which postal service provider carried most of the (a) letters and (b) parcels sent by her Department in each of the last three years. [238317]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by her Department on subscriptions for magazines, newspapers and other publications in each of the last 24 months. [215202]
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press releases have been issued by her Department in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement. [238975]
Mr. Woolas: The following table shows the number of press releases issued in each year since 1997.
| 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008( 1) | |
| (1 )As at 20 November 2008 | ||||||||||||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2240W—continued
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 259W, on Departmental procurement, what payments her Department made to Dance United in 2007-08; on what dates; and for what purpose in each case. [233440]
Jacqui Smith: Pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 259W, on departmental procurement, based on the purchase order data held in the Home Department's financial database, the details of the payments made to Dance United in 2007-08 are as follows:
| Date of purchase | Description of purchase | Payment (£) |
|
Performance at National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Third Sector Engagement Conference | ||
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 259W, on departmental procurement, how much was paid to (a) The Labour Party, (b) Biometrix, (c) Information Risk Management plc, (d) Good Relations Ltd and (e) Marks and Spencer Lunch to Go in 2007-08; and for what purpose in each case. [237801]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 259W, on departmental procurement, what payments the Identity and Passport Service made to (a) London Metropolitan University, (b) London South Bank University, (c) University of Leicester, (d) Manchester College of Arts and Technology and (e) University of East London in 2007-08; and for what purpose in each case. [237802]
Jacqui Smith: Pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2008, Offici al Report, column 259W, on departmental procurement, based on the purchase order data held in the Identity and Passport Service financial database, the details of the payments made to (a) London Metropolitan University, (b) London South Bank University (c) University of Leicester, (d) Manchester College of Arts and Technology and (e) University of East London in 2007-08 are as follows:
| Supplier/organisation | Description of Purchase | Date | Value (£) |
|
Identity and Passport Service Adult Lifelong Learning (ALL) employee development scheme | |||
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 259W, on departmental procurement, what payments the Identity and Passport Service made to Swingletree Stables in 2007-08; and for what purpose in each case. [237803]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 259W, on departmental procurement, what payments the Identity and Passport Service made to (a) the Plain English Campaign Ltd and (b) the Stillpoint School of Reiki in 2007-08; on what dates; and for what purpose in each case. [237804]
Jacqui Smith: Pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 259W, on departmental procurement, based on the data held in the Identity and Passport Service accounting system, the details of the payments made to (a) The Plain English Campaign Ltd and (b) the Stillpoint School of Reiki in 2007-08 are as follows:
| Table 1 | |||
| Supplier/ organisation | Date | Description of purchase | Value (£) |
|
Identity and Passport Service Adult Lifelong Learning employee development scheme. | |||
|
Identity and Passport Service Adult Lifelong Learning employee development scheme. | |||
|
Identity and Passport Service Adult Lifelong Learning employee development scheme. | |||
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there has been any nugatory cost to her Department and its agencies relating to tendered procurement where the tender process has been cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last three years. [239643]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens' juries her Department has held since 1st July 2007; what the cost was of each; what issues were discussed at each event; and how many (a) Ministers and (b) members of the public attended each event. [227481]
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department and its agencies have spent on (a) the design and production of new logos and (b) employing external (i) public relations and (ii) graphic design agencies in each year since 2000, broken down by project. [234438]
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants in her Department were recruited through the fast stream; and what the average salary of those officials is. [229139]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department and its executive agencies spent on (a) recruitment consultants and (b) external recruitment advertising in each of the last five financial years. [232295]
Mr. Woolas: The decision to employ recruitment consultants to assist with filling a particular vacancy is made by individual business units, and all associated costs are met from devolved unit budgets. The information requested is therefore not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many body scanners her Department operates; and where they are located. [237390]
Mr. Woolas: The Home Office operates a total of 32 body scanners throughout the wider Home Office estate and Executive Agencies. These scanners are situated in the main Home Office Headquarters building and a number of UKBA reporting offices and IPS regional offices around the country that routinely engage with members of the public in the course of normal business.
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when her Department plans to publish its sustainable operations policy statement. [234460]
Mr. Coaker: The Home Office is committed to reducing its impact on the environment by improving the environmental performance of its estate. Our current initiatives are outlined in the operations section of our Sustainable Development Action Plan which can be found at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/sustainable-dev-plan
We are currently undertaking a review of our strategic approach to sustainable development to strengthen governance and improve performance. Future plans and corporate commitments, including those relating to sustainable operations, will be published on our departmental website by end of January 2009.
Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what agencies or units for which her Department is responsible require the public to make telephone calls to them on numbers which charge more than the national call rate; and how much income each such agency derived from such charges in each of the last three years. [225711]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what personal training courses at public expense she has undertaken since her appointment. [230962]
Mr. Woolas: Since her appointment in June 2007, my right. hon. Friend the Home Secretary has had six executive coaching sessions at public expense. In addition, in December 2007, the Home Secretary attended a short one to one laptop training session.
Chris Huhne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether (a) UK citizens born in the UK, (b) UK citizens born abroad and (c) foreign
nationals recruited to her Department and its agencies are subject to (i) UK and (ii) overseas criminal record checks; and if she will make a statement. [206472]
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what overseas visits have been made by officials of her Department and its agencies in each of the last five years; and at what cost. [234739]
Jacqui Smith: Details on the number of overseas visits by other officials could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The Department's expenditure on travel outside the UK in each of the last five years is shown in the following table:
| £ million | |||||
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
For financial years 2003-04 to 2006-07, the figures also include expenditure by the National Offender Management Service and the Office for Criminal Justice Reform which transferred to Ministry of Justice in 2007. Their costs can only be identified, and deducted, at disproportionate cost.
Figures for Criminal Records Bureau could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The numbers in the table include both official and ministerial travel. All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2244W—continued
Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2008, Official Report, columns 317-18W, on Department written questions, at what locations the information referred to is held. [239328]
Mr. Coaker: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were removed from the UK under the automatic deportation provisions of the UK Borders Act 2007 between 1 August and 31 October 2008. [236472]
Mr. Woolas: The chief executive of the UK Border Agency has regularly updated the Home Affairs Committee with the most robust and accurate information on the deportation of foreign criminals. She will continue to update the committee with this, including information relating to the automatic deportation of foreign criminals as it becomes available.
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which countries (a) failed asylum seekers and (b) other people subject to removal directions have been returned via chartered flights in the last six months; and how many such (i) flights and (ii) returnees to each country there have been. [237098]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2008, Official Report, columns 318-19W, on deportation: standards, how her Department establishes that a person has left the UK without informing the immigration authorities; and how many people so recorded have subsequently been found to have been in the United Kingdom illegally in each of the last five years. [239296]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2008, Official Report, columns 318-19W, on deportation: standards, how many of the 63,365 removals from the United Kingdom in 2007 were cases of (a) enforced removals, (b) persons refused entry at port and subsequently removed (including cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls), (c) persons departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them, (d) persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration and (e) persons who it has been established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. [239298]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much her Department and its agencies have spent on air travel for the purpose of deporting persons from the UK in each year since 1997; [233348]
(2) how many flights her Department and its agencies booked in the last 12 months for the purposes of deporting persons from the UK; and how many of these bookings were not taken up following the cancellation of removal directions. [233349]
Mr. Woolas: The information requested to answer these questions could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual records at disproportionate cost.
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Newark of 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 795W, on deportation, how many UK resident foreign nationals have been deported from the UK since 24 August 2005 on grounds of unacceptable behaviour. [235858]
Mr. Woolas: Since 24 August 2005 one foreign national has been deported from the UK on grounds of unacceptable behaviour. Over the same period 79 foreign nationals have been excluded from the UK on grounds of unacceptable behaviour. These figures do not include foreign national prisoners removed from the UK.
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether information held by (a) her Department and (b) the UK Border Agency on who is due to be removed from the UK on chartered flights is provided to the Courts Service. [238225]
Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps her Department has taken to improve crime detection rates in (a) Houghton and Washington East constituency and (b) the North East. [236248]
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget for the office of the Monitor of Accommodation Centres of the UK Border Agency and its predecessors was in each of the last three years. [239017]
Jacqui Smith: The Accommodation Centres project was cancelled in June 2005. The monitor was not appointed and no budget was therefore allocated.
Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions she has had on potential revisions to the no recourse to public funds rule for migrant women subjected to domestic violence; [226625]
(2) what estimate she has made of the number of migrant women subject to the no recourse to public funds rule who would become eligible for retrospective support if their application for independent leave to remain were successful; [226626]
(3) what estimate she has made of the number of migrant women who are victims of domestic violence and who have no recourse to public funds; [226627]
(4) what estimate she has made of the cost of providing support for migrant women who have no recourse to public funds while their application for indefinite leave to remain is considered; [226628]
(5) when she plans to launch a consultation on migrant women who are victims of domestic violence and have no recourse to public funds. [226629]
Mr. Alan Campbell: [ h olding answer 13 October 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the right the hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) of 19 June 2008, Official Report, column 1187W, on Dorneywood: official hospitality, what use her Department has made of Dorneywood for official engagements in the last 12 months. [222045]
Mr. Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the reply from the Cabinet Office of 20 October 2008, Official Report , column 90W.
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drink driving offences were recorded in each police force area in (a) England and (b) Wales in each year since 1997; and how many successful prosecutions for these offences there were in each year. [166882]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to the hon. Member.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences of (a) drug and (b) drink driving were recorded in (i) Ashford constituency and (ii) Kent in each year since 1997. [239276]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department allocated to each drug action team in England in 2007-08; and how much has been allocated for 2008-09. [239493]
Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
The Department of Health and the Home Office have provided specific resources for drug treatment since 2001 in the form of the pooled drug treatment budget (PTB), with £398 million of funding provided in 2007-08 and 2008-09. In May 2007, the Ministry of Justice assumed responsibility for the element which had been the Home Office contribution. Mainstream resources are used by local partnerships in addition to the PTB to fund drug treatment services.
The following table shows the PTB allocations by local drug partnership areas for 2007-08 and 2008-09.
| Region | Partnership | Total PTB 2007-08 | Total PTB 2008-09 |
| The PTB is allocated direct to primary care trusts (PCTs) rather than being routed through the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA). The NTA's role is to ensure that allocations reflect local need, to monitor how funding is spent and to work with PCTs and Drug Action Teams to ensure that local treatment systems continue to improve and deliver effective and efficient services. | |||
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2249W—continued
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding her Department has allocated to each area in Stoke-on-Trent constituency through its Drug Intervention Programme. [239492]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the proposed pilot scheme to test the benefits of establishing a national forensic database of drug seizures will be established; where it will take place; and what the cost of the scheme will be. [234559]
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department plans to spend in total on tackling drugs in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [234746]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 10 November 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted of drug-related offences in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [237455]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to the hon. Member.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the level of acquisitive crime associated with drug addiction in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [239247]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2008, Official Report, column 442W, on drugs: crime prevention, when data on crackhouse closure orders in 2007-08 will be available. [231373]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 29 October 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crack house closures there were in (a) Ashford constituency and (b) Kent in the last three years. [236876]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to the hon. Member.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are used to assess the performance of counter-narcotics activities at (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted airports. [232902]
Mr. Woolas: The measures used to assess the performance of counter-narcotics activities of the UK Border Force are the targets set out each year in the Departmental Strategic Objective (DSO). These targets are for numbers of seizures and quantities of heroin and cocaine. The targets are set at a national level and no individual targets are set for specific sites.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the amount of illicit drugs which entered into the UK through London airports in the latest period for which information is available. [232903]
Mr. Woolas: Information relating to the movement of illicit drugs at specific locations cannot be disclosed as this would provide information of value to those seeking to circumvent UK Border Force's controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention of crime.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to change the drug classification of ecstasy. [232133]
Mr. Alan Campbell: [ h olding answer 3 November 2008]: The Government has no plans to change the classification of ecstasy.
Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which recruitment agencies (a) her Department and (b) its agencies have used in the last three years; and how much was paid to each of these recruitment agencies in each year. [230940]
Mr. Woolas: The decision to employ recruitment agencies to assist with filling a particular vacancy is made by individual business units, and all associated costs are met from devolved unit budgets. The information requested is therefore not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people are on the waiting list for English language tests for visa applicants in South Africa; [223083]
(2) how many people are on the waiting list for English language tests for visa applicants in each (a) country and (b) British mission in the Asian subcontinent. [223084]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of those applying for a marriage visa in the last 12 months were interviewed by an entry clearance officer; and if she will make a statement. [236470]
Mr. Woolas: This information cannot be retrieved centrally. It would be necessary to check the record of each individual application in order to ascertain whether it was necessary to interview the applicant. We could therefore only provide the information requested at disproportionate cost.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas issued by posts in (a) India, (b) Pakistan, (c) Bangladesh, (d) South Africa, (e) Australia and (f) the USA have been revoked in each of the last five years. [236473]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from (a) Russia, (b) China and (c) India applied for an entry visa in each year since 1997. [238150]
Mr. Woolas: Figures are available only for the last four financial years and are as follows:
| Nationality | Financial year | Total |
| Source: CRS unpublished data (should be treated as provisional) 19 November 2008. | ||
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas have been issued gratis in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) reason and (b) country of origin of applicant. [238271]
Mr. Woolas: The information requested has been placed in the House Library.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of (a) short-term and (b) long-term visa applications that were wrongly approved in (i) 2007 and (ii) 1997. [239488]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to my right hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it took on average to process a (a) short-term and (b) long-term visa application in the latest period for which figures are available. [239489]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to my right hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department where fingerprints taken from people receiving biometric visas are stored. [226398]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how long biometric information collected from a recipient of a biometric visa may be retained, once the individual is no longer resident in the UK. [226400]
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration she has given to issuing visas gratis to Gurkha soldiers; and if she will make a statement. [238270]
Mr. Woolas: The UK Border Agency's visa operations are self funding and visa fees are set to recover the full costs of issuing visas with no additional cost to the taxpayer. Waiving the fee for visa applications from former Gurkhas would not be appropriate and would set an unhelpful precedent for other categories of visa applicants and also in-country applicants who might similarly seek to be exempted from application fees.
Mr. Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overseas students have been permitted, on graduation in the UK, to remain for a period of two years in each year of the shortage occupations list scheme’s existence. [227407]
Mr. Woolas: The following table details the number of applications approved for each year since the graduate schemes were introduced including data up to 30 September 2008.
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Note: Figures rounded to nearest five. | |||||
The criteria includes main applicants only and excludes dependants.
The figures quoted are not provided under national statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions a request to extend a student visa has been declined on the grounds of fail to pass examinations since 2001; and in how many of these cases the applicant subsequently passed the required examinations at re-sits. [236823]
Jacqui Smith: Applications for further leave to remain as a student, which are refused on the basis of the failure to pass examinations, are not recorded separately for management information purposes from records for applications that are refused for other reasons. The information requested could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual case records which would be at disproportionate cost.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department against what criteria satisfactory progress on student visas is judged. [236824]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to her statement of intent on students under the points-based system—Tier 4, what benchmarks she has set to assess progress made towards her objectives for the new student route for visa applications. [238191]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2254W—continued
Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether student visas remain valid if student status is given up before the expiry of the visa; how many hours of work are allowed for students on a student visa; and whose responsibility it is to monitor student status and hours of work for those granted a student visa. [234195]
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions she has visited Essex in the last 12 months. [204974]
Mr. Coaker: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary visited Essex on 4 November 2008 as part of the Policing Pledge announcement. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when (a) she, (b) Ministers in her Department and (c) officials in her Department last visited Essex Police Authority; what issues were discussed; if she will place in the Library a copy of the report produced of each visit; and if she will make a statement. [217729]
Mr. Coaker: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she next plans to visit Essex Police Authority; and if she will make a statement. [217730]
Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what categories of public official may (a) levy fines on and (b) issue fixed penalty notices to members of the public; and what the circumstances are in which this may lawfully be levied in each case; [224465]
(2) when she plans to answer Question 224465 tabled by the hon. Member for Billericay on 3 October 2008 on the categories of public officials who may levy fines and issue fixed penalty notices. [232509]
Mr. Coaker [holding answers 6 October 2008 and 3 November 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal guns have been seized by police in each of the last 10 years. [232298]
Mr. Alan Campbell: We do not collect this information centrally. However, the national firearms amnesty in April 2003, which ran for a month, saw 43,908 guns and over a million rounds of ammunition handed in.
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) gun crimes and (b) arrests relating to gun crime there were in (i) England and Wales and (ii) each police force area in each of the last five years. [234483]
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) gun crimes and (b) arrests relating to gun crime there were (i) in England and Wales and (ii) in each police force area in each of the last five years. [230638]
Mr. Alan Campbell: Available data relate to offences involving firearms (excluding air weapons) from 2002-03 up to and including 2006-07 and are given in a table which will be placed in the Library. Firearms are taken to be involved in a crime if they are fired, used as a blunt instrument or used as a threat.
Data on arrests relating to gun crime cannot be provided by the Home Office since (a) the centrally held firearm offences database does not record detection or suspect data, and (b) offences involving firearms cannot be identified on the centrally held arrests database.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of fixed penalty notices issued in each of the last three years. [239027]
Mr. Alan Campbell: Information on the number of fixed penalty notices for motoring offences as well as penalty notices for disorder offences issued from 2004 to 2006 (latest available) is provided in the following table.
Information for 2007 on penalty notices for disorder is due to be published in late November 2008 and information on fixed penalty notices for motoring offences is due to be published in early 2009.
| Number of fixed penalty notices issued for motoring offences and penalty notices for disorder issued in England and Wales, 2004-06 | ||
| Fixed penalty notices for motoring offences issued( 1) | Fixed penalty notices for disorder offences issued | |
| (1 )Includes fixed penalties paid where there is no further action. (2) Revised since original publication following amendments received from forces. Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. | ||
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on the future of the Forensic Science Service laboratories in Chorley. [220591]
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if she will commission research into (a) the profiles of people buying gamma-butyrolactone and (b) the purposes for which they obtained that drug; and if she will make a statement; [227751]
(2) how many reports have been made to the police involving the possible use of gamma-butyrolactone as a date rape drug; [227752]
(3) what research she has commissioned into the use of gamma butyrolactone as a date rape drug; [227753]
(4) what representations she has received from the Council on the Misuse of Drugs on the use of gamma-butyrolactone as a date rape drug; and if she will make a statement; [227816]
(5) what assessment she has made of the risk to victims of the use of gamma-butyrolactone as a date rape drug; and if she will make a statement. [227817]
Mr. Alan Campbell: [Holding answers 22 and 23 October 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what procedures are in place to ensure the security of personal information and DNA samples that (a) are waiting to be processed into a DNA profile and (b) have been loaded onto the national DNA database; and if she will make a statement; [197314]
(2) what estimate her Department has made of the number of incidents where personal information and DNA samples which (a) are to be loaded on to the National DNA database and (b) have been loaded on to the National DNA database, have been lost; and if she will make a statement. [197987]
Mr. Alan Campbell: DNA samples taken by police forces are sent to accredited forensic suppliers for processing, to produce a profile for loading on the National DNA Database. On behalf of the NDNAD Strategy Board, the Custodian sets the technical and procedural standards to which the laboratories must adhere and monitors their performance against these standards. These standards are all contained within the Custodian's quality management system and shared with the laboratories. Security measures on the NDNAD itself are also managed by the Custodian.
Direct access to information on the NDNAD is restricted to a limited number of designated personnel under the control of the Custodian, either directly, or under a contract awarded by the Home Office to the Forensic Science Service (FSS) for operation and maintenance of the NDNAD and development of its IT systems. Throughout the lifetime of the contract, the FSS are required to demonstrate compliance with specified security requirements.
Police and law enforcement personnel do not have access to the information on the NDNAD, but receive reports from the Custodian's staff of matches between DNA taken from crime scenes and that taken from individuals.
There has been one incident affecting DNA profiles which were to be loaded onto the NDNAD. This was the recent occasion when a disc containing profiles taken from crime scenes in the Netherlands was mislaid and subsequently recovered, though it never left the secure premises of the Crown Prosecution Service. The disc did not contain any personal information, as the DNA profiles were left by unknown persons at crime scenes in the Netherlands.
There have been no incidents when data loaded onto the NDNAD has been lost.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what procedures are in place to protect personal information on the national DNA database; and if she will make a statement; [225489]
(2) how many profiles were (a) lost and (b) stolen from the national DNA database in each year since it was established. [225490]
Meg Hillier: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 10th September 2008, Official Report, columns 1767-8W, on genetics: databases, of the 14,000 offences linked to
DNA profiles retained since 2001, how many were detected crimes in which an offender was brought to justice. [227220]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to the hon. and learned Member.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were added to the National DNA Database in each year since its inception; and how many of these had no conviction, caution, formal warning or reprimand recorded on the police national computer. [234322]
Jacqui Smith: In relation to the number of people added to the National DNA Database (NDNAD) in each year since its inception, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 2 June 2008, Official Report, column 731W.
In relation to the number of people on the NDNAD with no conviction, caution, formal warning or reprimand recorded on the Police National Computer, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 14 October 2008, Official Report, column 1074W.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals to remove from the national DNA database profiles of people who have not been convicted of an offence. [239518]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2008, Official Report, column 1768W, on Government Departments: data protection, which military databases are highly protected. [219794]
Meg Hillier: All military databases are afforded a level of security appropriate to the information they hold.
It is not possible to give details of specific military databases as this may compromise the personal security of serving members of the armed services.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 19 May 2008, Official Report, column 104W, on Government House, what the timetable for the sale of the property is. [218285]
Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the percentage of immigration cases heard in the Hatton Cross Tribunals in the next six months at which a Home Office Presenting Officer will represent the Government's case. [226752]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences of human trafficking were reported in (a) Northamptonshire and (b) the UK in each of the last five years; and how many of them led to a prosecution. [223628]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 11 September 2008]: The number of reported offences and prosecutions by force area is not held centrally by the Home Office.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions relating to the trafficking of human beings were brought in (a) 2007 and (b) 1997. [229031]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to my right hon. Friend.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were prosecuted for offences relating to the trafficking of human beings for (a) the sex trade and (b) illegal labour in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2007. [229032]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to my right hon. Friend.
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of individual police forces' ability to tackle human trafficking in their areas; and if she will make a statement. [229288]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many victims of human trafficking were identified during police operations in each of the last five years. [232948]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of people who have been trafficked who are (a) in the UK and (b) working as prostitutes; on what research her estimate is based; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the research. [240042]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2259W—continued
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Government-funded residential places were available at any one time for women who were victims of human trafficking in each of the last five years. [232955]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2008, Official Report, column 75W, on human trafficking: females, what steps are being taken by the (a) Serious Organised Crime Agency and (b) United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre to improve
collection of intelligence of human trafficking; and when she expects improved statistics on the extent of human trafficking in the United Kingdom to be published. [236639]
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the eligibility requirements are for victims of human trafficking to be granted access to safe accommodation funded by the Government. [232954]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place to deal with people who are identified as having been trafficked. [240043]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of the loss of personal documents were recorded by the Identity and Passport Service and its predecessors in each year since 1997. [229307]
Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will prepare and publish a privacy impact assessment for the identity cards scheme. [217357]
Meg Hillier: We will publish an impact assessment for the introduction of identity cards in 2009 before our secondary legislation is brought to Parliament. Our impact assessment will include a review of regulatory, equality and privacy issues.
We have already published a Regulatory Impact Assessment and a Race Equality Impact Assessment, and both the legislation itself and the operation of the Scheme must comply with the Human Rights Act 1998 and Data Protection Act 1998.
Furthermore, the Identity Cards Act makes unauthorised disclosure of information from the National Identity Register a criminal offence. The National Identity Scheme Commissioner will oversee the operation of the scheme, including keeping under review arrangements for securing the confidentiality and integrity of information recorded in the register.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the chip and PIN type process of verification for the identity card scheme will use a PIN checked against encrypted information held on the card or against information held on a central server. [219763]
Meg Hillier: When PIN verification of an identity card is introduced, it is currently planned that the PIN number submitted by the individual would be checked against information held on the card's chip.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2008, Official Report, column 1769W, on identity cards, what the reasons are for the time taken to provide a response; and what additional resources have been allocated to the Independent Sentence Assurance Panel to allow it to fulfil its enhanced remit to include ICT assurance for the identity cards scheme. [220293]
Meg Hillier: The report of the Science and Technology Select Committee was published in July 2006 and the Government's response followed in October 2006. The Independent Scheme Assurance Panel carefully considered the findings of the committee and the need for ICT assurance and have taken on responsibility for high-level ICT assurance. As the Government's response to the Select Committee's report noted, we have sought to use expertise already within the Independent Scheme Assurance Panel, noting that three of its members hold or have held Chief Information Officer or similar positions in substantial organisations.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to the public purse would be of the immediate cancellation of the identity card scheme. [224605]
Jacqui Smith: Since Parliament approved the Identity Cards Act in 2006, work to deliver the national identity scheme has been ongoing.
The scheme includes procurement of replacement and new capabilities to continue to issue and improve the UK passport and support the work of UK Borders Agency. Therefore a decision to cancel would require significant internal work to identify what work would continue and what would need to cease. Further to this, work would then be required to assess the impact on programme structures, staffing, procurements and awarded contracts.
Due to this an answer cannot be calculated with certainty without incurring disproportionate costs.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the charge will be for registering a change of (a) name, (b) marital status and (c) address under the proposed national identity card scheme. [230594]
Meg Hillier: Martial status is not recorded on the National Identity Register. As such, a need to update marital status does not arise. It is currently expected that a change of address on an individual's record on the National Identity Register will not incur a fee.
For a change of name, or any change that would require a replacement identity card to be issued, it is proposed that the initial fee for a replacement card will be £30 in 2009-10, subject to an evaluation phase at relevant airports where the fee may be waived for airside workers who are required to enrol on the National Identity Register and are issued with an identity card.
Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the extension of the requirement to have an identity card for everyone resident in the United Kingdom. [233881]
Meg Hillier: The first identity cards for foreign nationals to start from November 2008 will be compulsory. It is also intended that it should become a requirement for people taking up employment in the secure airside area at airports, starting from autumn 2009, to apply for an identity card prior to obtaining an airside security pass.
However, the further roll out of identity cards to British citizens will be on a voluntary basis and from 2012 it is intended to give people applying for passports the option of being issued with a passport or an identity card or both. There are currently no plans for further legislation to make it a requirement for the whole UK population to have an identity card.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) with reference to the Introducing the National Identity Scheme guide of 6th November 2008, what mechanism will exist to allow the public to check their core identity information on the internet; [235340]
(2) with reference to the Introducing the National Identity Scheme guide of 6th November 2008, how the security of the system to allow identity card holders to check their core identity information online will be protected. [235341]
(3) with reference to the Introducing the National Identity Scheme guide of 6th November 2008, what estimate has been made of the cost of providing the system to allow identity card holders to check their core identity information online. [235342]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. and learned Member.
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many formal written requests her Department has received from persons expressing the desire to apply early for an identity card. [235790]
Meg Hillier: The Identity and Passport Services has received 1,142 items of correspondence recorded under the theme of “wants an identity card” from 1 November 2006 to 31 October 2008. IPS may have received other correspondence on the issue that has not been captured in these numbers because, for example, the correspondence may have addressed more than one topic.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether individuals applying for a critical worker identity card in 2009 will have their data retained on the National Identity Register. [237725]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 20 November 2008]: Individuals applying for an identity card under the Identity Cards Act 2006 will have basic identity information recorded in a record on the National Identity Register, starting in 2009 with British citizens and European economic area nationals.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the data fields listed in Schedule 1 of the Identity Cards Act 2006 individuals applying for a critical worker identity card in 2009 will be required to supply. [237727]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 20 November 2008]: The precise information required for registration onto the National Identity Register will be prescribed in secondary legislation to be approved by Parliament under Section 5 of the Identity Cards Act 2006 and a draft of the application regulations is being published in advance for consultation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what biometric information will have to be supplied by workers in sensitive locations applying for identity cards from 2009. [226401]
Jacqui Smith: Individuals wishing to enrol onto the National Identity Register and apply for an identity card, starting in the second half of 2009 with airside workers at certain airports, will be asked to record facial image and fingerprint biometric data.
Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timetable is for secondary legislation under section 6 of the Identity Cards Act 2006 to prescribe what biometric information will be stored on the National Identity Register and identity cards. [233402]
Meg Hillier: Schedule 1 of the Identity Cards Act 2006 already sets out the information that may be held on the National Identity Register, including biometric information such as fingerprints.
Secondary legislation under the Identity Cards Act 2006 is currently being prepared for the introduction of identity cards to airside workers starting in the second half of 2009. On 21 November we published the secondary legislation for consultation. It set out the information, including biometric information that may be recorded on the ID card.
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2008, Official Report, column 812W, on identity cards: consultants, what external consultants were given contracts by the Identity and Passport Service; and how much was paid to each. [189380]
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contracts have been awarded in relation to the identity card scheme; whom they were awarded to; and what the value of each contract was. [224724]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contracts have been awarded in relation to the Critical Workers' Identity Card scheme; what companies have bid for contracts under the scheme; at what cost those bidders proposed to run the scheme; and if she will make a statement. [229873]
Meg Hillier [holding answer 27 October 2008]: One contract has been awarded for delivery of the early releases of the National Identity Scheme. In addition three variations to existing contracts have been agreed to support National Identity Scheme delivery in the short-term. These are with:
(1) Thales for development of technology and processes for approximately £18 million
(2) 3M SP&SL for design and production of cards for approximately £0.7m plus a per-card fee
(3) N-Cipher for public key infrastructure and security related work for approximately £1.3 million
(4) Secure Mail Services for secure delivery of identity cards to customers.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department expects to spend on the national identity card scheme in its (a) first and (b) second year of operation. [230628]
Meg Hillier: The National Identity Scheme Cost Report gives a breakdown of the estimated cost of implementing the scheme over the next 10 years. The latest report was published on 6 November 2008.
http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/IPS-Cost-report-Nov2008.pdf
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much it is expected to cost to issue foreign nationals with identity cards in each of the five years from 2010-11. [237611]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 20 November 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role local authorities will play in the operation of the National Identity Card scheme (a) under current plans and (b) if ID cards are made compulsory. [218283]
Meg Hillier: As set out in the National Identity Scheme Delivery Plan, the Government are keen to use existing assets and infrastructure, where appropriate, to deliver the scheme. The precise detail of roll-out plans has yet to be finalised as has the role that local authorities could play, if local authorities choose.
However, local authorities already require people to produce proof of identity in order to access their services
and identity cards will provide a more convenient way for those entitled to services to access them, and help to prevent unauthorised access, from the beginning of the scheme.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2265W—continued
Mr. Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many items of correspondence her Department has received on identity cards and the national identity database in the last two years; and how many expressed (a) support for and (b) opposition to the Government's policy. [235789]
Meg Hillier: The Identity and Passport Services has received 3,073 items of correspondence regarding identity cards and the National Identity Register from 1 November 2006 to 31 October 2008.
With regard to the content of that correspondence, I would refer the right hon. Member to the response given to the hon. Member for North East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald), on 6 November 2008, Official Report, column 638W.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the identity card scheme complies with each of the 10 principles set out in the Crosby Report; and if she will make a statement. [219757]
Meg Hillier: It is intended that, where it is appropriate, the scheme once it is in place should take account in whole or in part of the principles established in Sir James Crosby's report on Challenges and Opportunities in Identity Assurance. The National Identity Scheme Delivery Plan, published on 6 March 2008, the response to the consultation on the Delivery Plan, published on 6 November 2008 and the Identity Cards Act Secondary Legislation Consultation paper, published on 21 November, together set out how it is currently proposed that the scheme should be implemented.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Independent Scheme Assurance Panel has received the work plan for the development and implementation of identity assurance and data management standards, policies and processes for the identity card scheme. [219768]
Meg Hillier: The Independent Scheme Assurance Panel had Data Governance as a key theme of its 2007 Annual Report and has, during 2008, heard presentations on data governance and identity management from a number of people, as well as pursuing these issues in their reviews of specific work areas within the National Identity Scheme. This work is continuing as further work is conducted on these issues.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people the UK Border Agency prevented from attempting to cross the English Channel illegally in 2007-08. [227246]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 15 October 2008]: In 2007, the UK Border Agency, in partnership with the French authorities, prevented over 17,800 individual attempts to cross the channel clandestinely. Of this figure, the UK Border Agency alone prevented over 5,400 attempts and in addition detected 1,420 forged travel documents.
From 1 January 2008 to date, the UKBA and our partners have prevented over 18,500 individual attempts to cross the channel. Of this figure, the UK Border Agency alone has prevented over 5,800 attempts and in addition detected 675 forged travel documents.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements her Department has made with the French government to fly back to their country of origin potential illegal entrants into the United Kingdom from France; when she expects the first such flight to happen; how costs will be split between the British and French government; and what payments in cash or benefits in kind will be made to those placed on such flights. [234788]
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration offenders are in detention in (a) detention centres, (b) police cells, (c) prisons and (d) other institutions. [234731]
Jacqui Smith: As at 28 June 2008, there were 2,315 persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers in Immigration Service removal centres and immigration short-term holding facilities. This figure is rounded to the nearest five and excludes persons detained in Prison Service establishments and police cells. It is only possible to provide information to indicate how many of those detained under immigration powers in prisons or other establishments are immigration offenders through the detailed examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.
National Statistics on detention are published annually and quarterly in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin Control of Immigration which is available in the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detainees there were at each immigration removal centre on 31 October 2008; and what percentage of those detainees in each centre were former foreign national prisoners. [236471]
Mr. Woolas: The numbers of detainees at each immigration removal centre on the date requested are not available; this information would be available only through the detailed examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.
National Statistics on persons held in detention solely under Immigration Act powers are published annually and quarterly. Information on persons detained as at 27 September 2008 by place of detention has been published in Table 9 of the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary, United Kingdom—3rd Quarter 2008 bulletin which is available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.
It is not possible to say, within these statistics, how many of the detainees in each centre on this date were former foreign national prisoners; this information would be available only through the detailed examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.
The chief executive of the UK Border Agency has regularly updated the Home Affairs Committee with the most accurate and robust information available. In her letter of 23 July she advised the Committee that there were around 1,650 time-served foreign criminals subject to deportation action who were detained within immigration removal centres and prisons.
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to determine the immigration status of Fouzia Ilyas, reference number J107 2668. [206019]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what mechanism evidence is gathered from police forces on the impact of migration on each force. [233258]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 4 November 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Migration Impacts Forum assesses the impact of migration on services in each region. [233259]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 4 November 2008]: Members of the Migration Impacts Forum are selected on a sectoral basis. Each meeting has a theme and is led by a representative of the sector to which that theme applies. Sectoral representatives will often gather evidence from their colleagues in regions across the UK to inform their representations to the MIF.
In addition, although representatives are selected on a sectoral basis, Ministers have sought to ensure that membership is spread between the different regions of the UK. The minutes of and papers for all MIF meetings are available on the website of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department excluding EEA and Swiss citizens, how many people are awaiting decisions on grants of indefinite leave to remain under the immigration rules and the long residency concession; and how many dependants are included in such applications. [233620]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average caseload of caseworkers was in the UK Border Agency in the latest period for which figures are available. [235653]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration cases are awaiting resolution; and of those how many the UK Border Agency plans to resolve by (a) January 2009, (b) January 2010, (c) January 2011 and (d) January 2012. [237282]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to implement the decision of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in the case of Mrs A. B., wife of Mr S. H. of Aylesbury. [238998]
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the oral statement of 21 October 2008, Official Report, column 175, on immigration controls, what the evidential basis is for the statement that 12 per cent. fewer migrants would have come to the UK to work last year had tier 2 of the points-based migration system been in place. [234134]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 10 November 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) higher education institutions, (b) businesses, (c) schools, (d) local authorities and (e) government departments have registered to be tier 2 sponsors in the points-based system. [238130]
Mr. Woolas: The number of applications for a sponsor license under Tier 2 of the points based system is 5,345(1). This figure includes higher education institutions, businesses, schools, local authorities, Government Departments and other sectors including hospitality and catering, sport, financial, information technology and private health care.
The figures quoted are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.
(1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5.
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of processing time is expected to be over the next planning period from application to licence of tier 2 sponsors under the points-based system. [238131]
Mr. Woolas: From 27 November the published service standard for processing Tier 2 Sponsor applications under the points-based system will be 30 working days. From 1 April 2009, the published service standard will be 20 working days.
Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many higher education institutions have registered to be tier 4 sponsors in the points-based system. [238132]
Mr. Woolas: The number of applications for a sponsor license under tier f4 of the points based system is 770. This figure includes universities and other higher education institutions as well as other organisations including private colleges and schools.
Applications for a sponsor licence received by 2 February 2009 will be processed in time for the implementation of tier 4 in March 2009.
This figure has been rounded to the nearest five.
The figure quoted is not provided under National Statistics protocols and has been derived from local management information and is therefore provisional and subject to change.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations her Department has received on UK Border Agency staffing levels at London Luton Airport; and if she will make a statement. [238717]
Mr. Woolas: Since the beginning of September 2008, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has received 14 complaints from members of the public concerning queuing times and staffing levels at passport control. These complaints relate to12 separate occasions.
Based on Luton airport operator's queue data for the period July to September 2008 inclusive, approximately 80 per cent. of passengers queued for less than 10 minutes. This is significantly lower than the UKBA's own passenger processing targets of 25 minutes for EEA passengers and 45 minutes for non EEA passengers.
UKBA officials at London Luton airport maintain regular dialogue with the port operator and are negotiating a service level agreement, which will include enhanced targets for improved passenger queuing times.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to ensure border controls are properly enforced at London Luton Airport; and if she will make a statement. [238718]
Mr. Woolas: The United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) operates a 24/7 border control at Luton airport. We work closely with the police and other agencies in the detection and prevention of crime. In addition, UKBA at Luton deploys specialists in document forgery and anti-smuggling operations and conducts intelligence-led ‘outbound controls’ for the detection of immigration offenders and ‘money laundering’.
From 1 July 2007, the UK Border Agency introduced a checking policy requiring 100 per cent. systematic checking of travel documents against the UK’s watchlist at ports of entry.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-EU passport holders were processed by passport control at London Luton Airport in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [238719]
Meg Hillier: This information is not recorded at point of entry and as such is not available for disclosure. Statistics on passenger movements at all UK airports are however published by external sources.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many EU passport holders were processed by passport control at London Luton Airport in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [238720]
Meg Hillier: This information is not recorded at point of entry and as such is not available for disclosure. Statistics on passenger movements at all UK airports are however published by external sources.
Mrs. Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding has been provided by her Department for staff of the UK Border Agency and its predecessors at London Luton Airport in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [238721]
Mr. Woolas: In April 2008, the UK Border Agency was formed. It brings together the ex-Border and Immigration Agency, UKvisas and customs operational work at the border.
Records of legacy UKBA expenditure at London Luton airport are only available from financial year 2000-01. Expenditure on staff costs for each financial year is set out in the following table:
| (£ million) | |
| Financial year | Staff costs( 1) |
| (1) Includes pay, allowances, superannuation and national insurance contributions. | |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2270W—continued
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date (a) the Border and Immigration Agency received notification that the appeal of Mrs Hina Sayid (ref. S1377193) to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal had been allowed and (b) the UK Border Agency received documentation in support of Mrs Sayid's application for a visit visa; and if she will make a statement. [202222]
Mr. Woolas: I wrote to the hon. Member on 24 November 2008.
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to issue the constituent of the hon. Member for Ilford South, Mrs Hina Sajid (ref. S1377193) with documents confirming her indefinite leave to remain, following the determination of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal on 2nd October 2007 allowing the appeal against the decision to refuse her such leave; when Mrs Sajid's passport will be endorsed with the appropriate status; and if she will make a statement. [202224]
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Immigration and Asylum Fingerprint Service database will be used to store biometrics collected from (a) foreign nationals receiving identity cards and (b) British citizens receiving identity cards. [237724]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 20 November 2008]: The Immigration and Asylum fingerprint service database will only be used for foreign nationals. The British Citizen’s biometric information cannot be stored on the Immigration and Asylum Fingerprint Service.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many educational institutions have (a) had action other than enforced closure taken against them following immigration-related offences and (b) been closed down following immigration-related offences in each year since 1997. [233323]
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what timetable she has set for the implementation of Mr Justice Blake's judgment of 30th September 2008 on Gurkhas. [238327]
Mr. Woolas: [holding answer 24th November 2008]: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of migrants admitted under the highly skilled migrant programme who are (a) unemployed and (b) working in unskilled jobs. [201159]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 24 April 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Damian Green:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when her Department received from the Migration Advisory Committee the Tier 2
skilled employment shortage occupation list due to be completed by June 2008; and when her Department plans to publish it. [223327]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 9 September 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget for the office of the Certification Monitor of the UK Border Agency and its predecessors was in each of the last three years. [239018]
Jacqui Smith: A total annual budget of £15,680 was set aside for the Certification Monitor including all fees and expenses). The last Certification Monitor's Report was published in 2006. In that year, following a consultation exercise, the Government announced that the role of the Certification Monitor would be subsumed in the office of the Chief Inspector of the UKBA. The Chief Inspector, John Vine, is expected to publish his first annual report after the end of the current financial year.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many approved visa application cases were investigated by the Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance Refusals Without the Right of Appeal in each of the last three years. [238922]
Mr. Woolas: None, as her statutory remit only refers to refused visas in categories which do not attract a right of appeal.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget of the offices of the Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance Refusals Without the Right of Appeal was in each of the last three years. [238923]
Jacqui Smith: The budget for the offices of the Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance Refusals without the Right of Appeal was £260,000 for 2006-07, £278,000 for 2007-08 and £278,000 for 2008-09. These figures include staff costs of the UK Border Agency Independent Monitor Liaison Team and the Independent Monitor's salary. The Independent Monitor provides her own office and office equipment.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inspectors were employed by her Department in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 1997-98. [228094]
Mr. Woolas: The question does not specify which category of inspector should be counted so the following figures include any grades which include “inspector” in their title.
The figures are for full time equivalent paid permanent staff only.
Please be aware there are no inspector grades in the Identity and Passport Service or the Criminal Records Bureau.
232.61 (full-time equivalent) staff were recorded as Inspector in the Home Office Headquarters (HQ) and the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA).
101.62 (full-time equivalent) staff were recorded as Inspector in the Home Office Headquarters (HQ) and the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA).
Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans there are to introduce a content filtering scheme for the internet. [239261]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has made an assessment of the cost of backdating the pay increase for police in Lancashire Constabulary to September 2007. [188713]
Mr. Coaker: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much Lancashire Constabulary has allowed in its budget to fund the pay settlement. [188714]
Mr. Coaker: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is open to Lancashire Constabulary to increase the agreed pay settlement award through a bonus system. [188715]
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were charged with television licence fee evasion in each of the last five years, broken down by police force area. [235706]
Mr. Alan Campbell: The information requested is not collected centrally. Collection of the licence fee is the responsibility of the BBC.
Mr. Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the purposes of her visit to the Liverpool, West Derby constituency on 10 January 2008 were; whom she met during the visit; and what decisions she has made as a result of the visit. [180319]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 21 January 2008]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary visited Merseyside as part of the Tackling Guns Action Programme on 10 January 2008. Her programme of engagements included a visit to the Croxteth area to the Alt Valley Community Trust Skills Centre and Croxteth Community Primary School. She had a short political meeting with Cllr Rose Bailey at the end of the primary school visit before moving on to her next engagement.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding the Government have contributed to the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre—Narcotics in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09; and how much it plans to contribute in each of the next three years. [234287]
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations provided media monitoring services to (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last three years; and what the cost of each contract was. [239598]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which keywords or terms her Department has monitored in the media in each of the last three years. [239734]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to reply to the letter of 5 July from the hon. Member for Beaconsfield. [163945]
Jacqui Smith: The hon. Member’s letter was received in the Home Office on 6 July 2007, and was immediately transferred to the Department for Transport. Notification of the transfer was sent to the hon. Member the same day. The Department for Transport advise that a reply was sent by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jim Fitzpatrick) on 8 August 2007.
Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will respond to the letters of 22 September and 29 October from the hon. Member for Billericay regarding Mr. Kevin Browne. [237196]
Meg Hillier [holding answer 18 September 2008]: As Minister with responsibility for the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), I wrote to the hon. Member in response to his letter dated 29 October 2008 on 24 November 2008. Officials can find no record of having received a letter from the hon. Member dated 22 September regarding Mr. Kevin Browne.
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will reply to the letter of 9 October 2008 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on behalf of Miss Z. Hallam. [238139]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 25 November 2005.
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will reply to the letter of 14 October 2008 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on behalf of Mrs. Asia Rehman. [238140]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 25 November 2008.
Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a reply will be sent to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood’s enquiry dated 10 September 2008 on behalf of Karlene Cameron, ref: H118332. [239300]
Mr. Woolas: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Lady in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of (a) all recruits and (b) recruits from ethnic minorities entering the Metropolitan Police in each of the last five years have completed their probationary period. [227413]
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of Metropolitan Police recruits identified themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender in each of the last five years; and what percentage of those recruits completed their full probationary period. [227418]
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons are for the withdrawal of funding for the Metropolitan police human trafficking unit; and if she will make a statement. [237851]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 24November 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when her Department notified the Metropolitan Police that her Department's funding of the Metropolitan Police human trafficking unit would be withdrawn; what representations she has received from the Metropolitan Police on this matter; and if she will place in the Library recent relevant written correspondence she has set and received on this matter. [237852]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 24 November 2008]: Work to combat human trafficking is core police business. Accordingly, the additional funding provided to forces to tackle human trafficking has always been on a time limited, pump priming basis to encourage forces to mainstream this work into their existing budgets.
The Metropolitan Police human trafficking team is funded from money administered by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) which informed the Metropolitan Police of the funding available and the basis on which it would be provided, earlier this year.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of people-trafficking-related (a) investigations, (b) trials and (c) convictions have arisen through the activity of the Metropolitan Police human trafficking unit in each year since its inception. [237853]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to the hon. Member.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2276W—continued
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations have provided evidence to the Migration Impacts Forum. [233260]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 4 November 2008]: Members of the Migration Impacts Forum are selected on a sectoral basis. Each meeting has a theme and is led by a representative of the sector to which that theme applies. Recent themes have included employment (led by the CBI and TUC), crime and policing (led by ACPO) and housing (led by housing sector representative from Sheffield city council). The organisations consulted by sector leads in preparing their presentations will be dependant upon how the lead chooses to conduct their research. The minutes of and papers for all MIF meetings are available on the website of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Ministerial taskforces and action groups she is a member of. [194334]
Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mosques she has visited since her appointment. [183780]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 1 February 2008]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, visited Leicester Central Mosque on the 21 February 2008 and Luton Central Mosque on the 17 November 2008.
Mr. Todd:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of (a) the proportion of addresses held on the National Identity Register which will require amendment in each year and (b) proportion of card holders likely to fail to
notify a change of address in one year is; what proportion of addresses held on the National Identity Register are estimated to be inaccurate at any one time; what the average annual cost of maintaining the address element of the register is; and if she will make a statement. [230974]
Meg Hillier: It is estimated that 14.3 per cent. of the addresses on the National Identity Register will require amendment each year.
Estimates of the number of card holders who are likely to fail to update a change of address and proportion of accurate address details on the National Identity Register have not yet been finalised.
It is not possible to separate the costs specific to the maintenance of the address field on the National Identity Register.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether information held on the National Identity Register will be accessible by local authorities. [236582]
Meg Hillier: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 March 2008, Official Report, column 73W.
Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will (a) publish and (b) place in the Library a copy of all certificates signed under section 28 of the Data Protection Act 1998 that are still valid. [228506]
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 27th October 2008, Official Report, columns 679-80W, how many of the detainees who escaped from Oakington Immigration Centre were illegal immigrants. [234756]
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms are in place to prevent foreign nationals convicted of offences relating to human trafficking from re-entering the UK following deportation on the completion of their sentence. [236517]
Jacqui Smith: Any person with a deportation order against them may not re-enter the country. If such a person seeks entry at a United Kingdom port, they will be refused entry.
The United Kingdom holds a ‘watchlist’ of adverse information, which includes those people subject to deportation orders. It also includes intelligence drawn from a variety of sources, including the police, on individuals who should be refused entry to the country. Border Force officers operating at the border check both EEA and non EEA nationals against this database for the purposes of national security and the detection and prevention of crime and immigration offending.
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the proportion of victims of knife crime who were carrying a knife at the time at which they were attacked in the latest period for which figures are available. [219402]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the proportion of knives used in crimes for which charges were brought in 2007-08 which were domestic or kitchen knives. [227931]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to the right hon. and learned Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) prosecuted, (b) convicted of knife possession and (c) sentenced to prison for knife possession between (i) June and October 2008 and (ii) June and October 2007. [232340]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 3 November 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps the Government have taken to reduce levels of knife crime in Coventry. [220626]
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will designate the Office of the Surveillance Commissioner a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. [239174]
Mr. Coaker: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in her Department has been in the last 12 months. [233521]
Mr. Woolas: The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2008, Official Report, column 807W, on official residences, if she will place in the Library a copy of the (a) leasehold and (b) freehold documents relating to the Government House in Pimlico. [204864]
Mr. Woolas: A copy of the Departments' under-leases of 22 December 1987, 13 October 1992, 15 October 1998 and Deed of Variation of 15 October 1998 are being placed in the Library.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to the answer of 20 May 2008, Official Report, column 232W, on official residences, when her Department expects to receive the report from Savills; [218275]
(2) pursuant to the answer of 19 May 2008, Official Report, column 104W, on Government House, if she will place in the Library a copy of the disposal report, redacting any commercially sensitive elements. [218284]
Mr. Woolas: A redacted version of the report is being placed in the House Library.
Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the home information pack for the sale of the Government property at South Eaton Place was produced; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [222924]
Mr. Woolas: The home information pack will be completed shortly and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar of 20 June 2008, Official Report, column 232W, on official residences, whether the report has been received and considered by her officials. [223009]
Mr. Woolas: A redacted version of the report is being placed in the House Library.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department plans to spend on the Tackling Gangs Action Programme in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [234745]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 10 November 2008]: The Tackling Gangs Action Programme completed in March 2008 and saw a 51 per cent. drop in firearms-related injuries across the target areas. However, Government work to tackle youth violence continues. For example, a further £1.8 million has been committed for 2008-09 to tackle gangs; £5 million has been allocated to the Tackling Knives Action Programme which is delivering focused action to crack down on knife crime in 10 police force areas; and the Youth Crime Action Programme is spending up to £100 million over the next three years to support vulnerable teenagers at risk.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Madagascan citizens visited the UK in each of the last five years. [233967]
Mr. Woolas:
The number of Madagascan nationals given leave to enter the United Kingdom, by the purpose of their journey, for 2004 to 2007 is shown in the tables
placed in the House Library. Data for earlier years are unavailable. The information shown is based on landing card information and may include the same individuals more than once if they visited the United Kingdom on multiple occasions in the period.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the annual resource costs of providing passports to British citizens were in each of the last five years; [226405]
(2) when she plans to reply to Question 226405, tabled on 8 October 2008, on passports. [238622]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timetable is for a passport to become a designated document under section 4 of the Identity Cards Act 2006. [233403]
Meg Hillier: It is not intended that passports should be designated under section 4 of the Identity Cards Act before 2012. Further primary legislation will then also be required in order to offer people the choice of being issued with a passport or an identity card or both.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost of installing biometric passport readers at each of the main airports and ports in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [237608]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 20 November 2008]: Biometric passport readers were installed at UK ports of entry between January and March 2007 as part of a wider technical programme. The element attributable to the processing of ePassports was budgeted at £1.4 million.
This information was previously published in the National Audit's Office Report - Identity and Passport Service: Introduction of e-Passports.
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/06-07/0607152.pdf
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the unit cost of a (a) biometric passport reader and (b) identity card reader is expected to be. [237609]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 20 November 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the effect on expenditure as classified in the (a) common passport and identity card and (b) passport specific section of the most recent Identity Cards Scheme cost report in each year between 2008-09 and 2017-18 if biometric passports contained just a facial scan. [237610]
Jacqui Smith
[holding answer 20 November 2008]: It is intended that passports incorporating fingerprints will be introduced from 2012 onwards and applicants for such passports will be enrolled on the National
Identity Register. From that point, common business processes and technology infrastructure will be used to register applicants on the National Identity Register and issue them with an identity card and/or a passport. It is not expected that the inclusion of just a facial image on a biometric passport would have any significant impact on the costs outlined in the November 2008 cost report.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of (a) issuing and (b) producing passports in each of the last eight years has been; and what estimate has been made of the cost of (i) issuing and (ii) producing passports for each of the next eight years. [235511]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 13 November 2008]: will write to the hon. Member.
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the costs are expected to be for adults applying for a passport for the first time to provide the necessary biometric information in each year between 2008-09 and 2017-18. [238193]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 24 November 2008]: In the future, it is proposed that the cost of biometric recording will be set by an open market where multiple providers compete against each other to deliver biometric recording services in line with standards established by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS). IPS is currently engaging with private and wider public sector organisations on how they might be able to help to record digital photographs, together with fingerprint data for passport and identity card applications as well as providing directly related services such as document collection. As such, exact costs for biometric enrolment are not yet known.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2281W—continued
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of passport fraud in each of the last five years. [237216]
Meg Hillier: Information on the cost to the public purse of passport fraud in each the last five years is not available. However in publishing on 9 October on identitytheft.org.uk, the 2006-07 estimate of £1.2 billion for the cost of identity fraud to the UK economy, the costs to the Home office were shown as £284.4 million. These relate to the work of its agencies in safeguarding and validating the identities of its customers as well as costs around deterrence, prevention, and investigation of identity fraud. The majority of these costs (£227.8 million) relate to the operating cost of the Identity and Passport Service in detecting and preventing fraudulent passport applications.
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of unrecovered fraudulent passports in circulation. [237217]
Meg Hillier: It is not known how many un-recovered fraudulently obtained passports there are in circulation. Passport fraud by its very nature is difficult to establish and measure.
Moreover, the Identity and Passport Service is not always informed when fraudulent passports are identified, seized and taken out of circulation by other agencies in the UK and abroad.
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been (a) arrested and (b) charged in relation to passport fraud in each of the last five years. [237218]
Meg Hillier: The figures recorded by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) for the number of people arrested and the number of people charged in relation to passport fraud in the last five years is shown as follows.
| Arrested | Charged | |
| n/a = Not available. | ||
The aforementioned figures relate to those recorded for people arrested following a passport application, but may not necessarily be specifically for passport fraud.
Also, IPS does not routinely receive feedback from the police or prosecution authorities on cases of passport fraud which are referred to them. The figures given above are therefore likely to be a significant under representation of the number of arrests and charges brought. IPS is working with the police and prosecution authorities to develop more effective notification arrangements.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were interviewed in each of the operational passport interview centres between the establishment of each centre and 1 October 2008. [231585]
Meg Hillier: We completed 264,046 interviews which have been broken down by office in the following table:
| Number | |
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to find the passports of the constituent of the hon. Member for Vauxhall and her daughter, Home Office Ref: M664274; and at what point lost passport letters will be issued. [222586]
Mr. Woolas: Passports for the constituent of the hon. Member for Vauxhall and her daughter have been located and the UK Border Agency wrote to the constituent on 2 September 2008.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in her Department did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report in the latest reporting year for which figures are available. [235222]
Mr. Woolas: In the 2007-08 reporting year, and from the data available, 146 members of staff across Home Office Headquarters, the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) and the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) did not achieve an acceptable assessment marking in their annual reports.
The Criminal Records Bureau is able provide this information only by reviewing individual paper records, and this would incur disproportionate cost.
There are formal end of year assessment arrangements in UKBA and Home Office HQ for identifying members of staff who, while not receiving unacceptable assessment markings, require targeted development.
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports she has received of the police preventing members of the public from taking photographs in public places; what her policy is on this matter; and if she will make a statement. [209526]
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the extent to which police custody suites are being used for (a) those who are mentally ill or held for their own protection and (b) the drunk and disorderly. [234472]
Mr. Coaker: The Independent Police Complaints Commission published a report on 10 September on the use of police stations as places of safety under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act. Findings from the research show that 11,500 people were detained in police custody under section 136 during 2005-06. The average amount of time spent in police custody was nine hours 36 minutes, with the vast majority of detainees leaving within 12 hours. On 30 April 2008, section 44 of the Mental Health Act 2007 was brought into effect. This allows the transfer of a person from one place of safety to another before an assessment has been carried out and recognises the importance of using a police station on an exceptional basis and that when it is used, there is the ability to transfer a person to a more suitable place at the earliest available opportunity.
The arrests information held by the Ministry of Justice covers persons arrested for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only which excludes summary offences of “being drunk and disorderly”. The Home Office has not made any assessments of the use of custody suites
in relation to drunk people. Alcohol arrest referral schemes aim to reduce offending among people arrested for alcohol-related offences by providing them with advice on the links between unsafe drinking levels and offending. This can take place in custody suites.
Some brief interventions are initially custody-based and voluntary with follow-up interventions outside custody.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2285W—continued
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many records were held on the police national computer on (a) 1 January 2008 and (b) the latest date for which figures are available. [234265]
Jacqui Smith: The number of records held on the Police National Computer (PNC) on 1 January 2008 is not held centrally. As an operational tool, the PNC always reflects the current situation and it is not possible to produce figures for a specific historical date unless they were obtained on that date.
The PNC contains records from a number of separate information databases. The following table shows the number of records held on the PNC, broken down by the various information databases, as at 13 November 2008, the latest date for which figures are available. These figures are not mutually exclusive, for example, the same record may be included in more than one database.
| Number | |
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people had a (a) conviction, (b) caution, (c) formal warning and (d) reprimand recorded on the police national computer on 1 January of each year since 1996. [234285]
Jacqui Smith: Information on the number of people with a conviction, caution, formal warning and reprimand recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC) on 1 January of each year since 1996 is not held centrally. As an operational tool, the PNC currently always reflects the current situation and it is not possible to produce figures for a specific historical date unless they were obtained on that date.
The following table shows the number of individuals recorded on the PNC with convictions, cautions, warning and reprimands as at 21 November 2008, the latest date for which figures are available. It does not show the overall numbers of each category on the PNC, as one person may have more than one conviction, caution, formal warning or reprimand recorded on the PNC. One individual may be included in more than one of the categories, as the same person may have, for example, a caution and a warning recorded on the PNC.
| Number | |
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been carried out of the effect on the amount of police paperwork of moving responsibility for charging decisions from police forces to the Crown Prosecution Service under the statutory charging initiative. [232322]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 3 November 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of time on average (a) all officers and (b) patrol officers spent on (i) incident and (ii) non-incident-related paperwork in each year since 2003-04; and how long each spent on average on patrol in each year. [239000]
Mr. Coaker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 10 December 2007 , Official Report, column 91W.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints she has received in the last two months from (a) police officers and (b) members of the public on her decision not to implement the tribunal's recommendation on the police pay award for 2008. [179481]
Mr. Coaker: Home Office systems record letters and emails received by the Department from members of the public and MPs, but not, in a readily available way, whether the sender is a police officer. Between 6 December 2007 when the 2007 police officer pay award was announced to Parliament, and 5 February 2008, Home Office systems show that 1,660 letters and emails about police pay and allowances were received from members of the public and MPs.
Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were recorded against the police in (a) Northamptonshire and (b) England and Wales in each of the last 10 years; and what the rate of complaints per 1,000 of population was in each case in each such year. [224073]
Mr. Coaker [holding answer 12 September 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what progress has been made on negotiations between the National Police Improvement Agency and potential providers of a Police National Intelligence database; and if she will make a statement; [237162]
(2) what progress has been made on the IMPACT project for a Police National Intelligence database; and if she will make a statement. [237249]
Mr. Coaker: Significant progress has been made. The negotiations between the National Policing Improvement Agency and potential providers of the Police National Database (PND) have been completed. An invitation to submit a final tender was issued to the three consortia on 14 November. The consortia have until 5 January to finalise and submit their tenders.
In parallel with the negotiations, the programme has been producing a full business case, which will be finalised once a decision has been made on which supplier should be awarded the contract.
Subject to the necessary approvals of the full business case, and there being no legal challenge by one of the unsuccessful consortia, this should allow a contract to be awarded in March.
The programme is also working closely with the police service to ensure that:
the necessary national and local business rules and processes will be in place in time for the deployment of the PND;
forces are ready to implement the PND—for example, they have the necessary IT infrastructure, personnel and other resources in place; and
forces have prepared their data and the mechanisms for loading those data onto the PND.
The programme remains on track to commence deployment of the PND in 2010.
Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of corruption involving (a) police, (b) prison and (c) customs officers which involved illegal drugs there were in each of the last five years. [195698]
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Independent Police Complaints Commission has the power to investigate complaints about allegedly unlawful conduct by serving police officers. [239550]
Mr. Coaker: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who was consulted before the decision was made not to implement the Police Arbitration Panel’s pay settlement fully; [176821]
(2) what the reasons were for consulting an arbitration panel on police pay; [176822]
(3) what discussions took place with HM Treasury before the decision was taken not to fully implement the Police Arbitration Panel’s pay settlement recommendation; [176823]
(4) whether she consulted (a) the Police Federation and (b) other representatives from police forces in England and Wales before deciding not to fully implement the arbitration panel’s recommendation on police pay; [176824]
(5) which Government Departments she consulted before making a decision on the police pay award for 2008. [179482]
Mr. Coaker: The 2007 police officer pay award was referred to the Police Arbitration Tribunal by the two sides of the Police Negotiating Board, following a failure to reach agreement in the PNB. The police officer negotiating machinery makes recommendations to the Secretaries of State, and the final decision on police officer pay in England and Wales rests with the Home Secretary. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary considered all the arguments put forward as part of the Police Negotiating Board and Police Arbitration Tribunal process in relation to the 2007 police officer pay award, and she also considered representations made to her on this matter following the receipt of the PAT award. She consulted within Government on her decision in the usual ways.
As she set out in her written ministerial statement of 16 October 2008, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is pleased that a multi-year pay deal has been agreed for the police starting in 2008.
Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will place in the Library the minutes of the meeting with the Police Federation at which her Department agreed to pursue arbitration measures on police pay. [182530]
Mr. Coaker: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to the Metropolitan Police of paying the recent proposed award of 2.5 per cent. to police officers in full would be in 2008-09. [209324]
Mr. Coaker [holding answer 10 June 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are (a) seconded to overseas missions, governments or organisations and (b) otherwise serving abroad. [239295]
Mr. Coaker: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are unlawfully at large having been removed from prison to immigration centres and subsequently released into the community. [181190]
Mr. Woolas: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2008, Official Report, column 1079W, on the proceeds of crime, what initiatives have been funded through allocations to police forces under the asset recovery incentive scheme. [234262]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2008, Official Report, column 1079W, on the proceeds of crime, how much was received by each police force under the asset recovery incentive scheme in the last year for which figures are available. [234263]
Jacqui Smith: I will write to the hon. Member.
Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the monetary value of property and possessions seized by the Assets Recovery Agency from residents of Northern Ireland convicted of drug dealing offences was in each of the last 10 years. [239270]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration she has given to the application of the definition of a prostitute as controlled for another person's gain to male and female prostitutes in circumstances where the other person is (a) a receptionist, (b) also working as a prostitute, (c) working as a prostitute on the same premises, (d) a partner or a flatmate who shares premises with the prostitute, (e) a landlord letting the premises where the prostitute is working and (f) a dependant. [240044]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration she has given to the application of the definition of a prostitute as controlled for another person's gain to male and female prostitutes in circumstances where the prostitute has voluntarily entered into a working relationship with another person. [240045]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the average age of a person working as a prostitute in the UK; on what research her estimate is based; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the research. [240046]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of prostitutes working in the UK who are (a) women, (b) men, (c) under the age of 16 years, (d) addicted to drugs, (e) homeless, (f) supporting dependants and (g) working for another person's gain; on what research her estimate is based; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the research. [240047]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when her Department plans to publish the responses received to the consultation letter of 26th September 2008 on proposals for legislation on prostitution. [240048]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2290W—continued
Mr. Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on (a) focus groups and (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much she estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if she will make a statement. [239034]
Mr. Woolas: The following table shows a breakdown of annual Home Office expenditure on opinion polling since 1997-98.
Based on currently planned research the estimated expenditure on opinion polling for the financial year 2008-09 is £88,000.
We are unable to answer the question relating to focus groups on the grounds of disproportionate cost.
| Annual spend on opinion polling since 1997-98 | |
| Financial year | Cost (£) |
| Note: Based on currently planned research the estimated expenditure on opinion polling for the financial year 2008-09 is £88,000. | |
Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to balance the provision of public security and the right to take photographs of public places and street scenes. [200458]
Mr. Coaker: I will write to my hon. Friend.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether (a) British and (b) foreign nationals working (i) as security guards in Government buildings and Departments (ii) as police community support officers, (iii) in the Passport Service, (iv) in the UK Borders Agency, (v) in her Department, (vi) in the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, (vii) in the police service as (A) civilian support and (B) warranted constables (viii) in the Criminal Records Bureau, (ix) for the Greater London Authority, (x) in local authority children's services departments, (xi) in local authority finance departments, (xii) in local authority electoral administration offices, (xiii) in local authority social services departments (xiv) in the Pension Service, (xv) in the Criminal Cases Review Commission, (xvi) in the Prison Service, (xvii) in the Court Service and (xviii) in the Crown Prosecution Service are vetted for crimes committed outside the United Kingdom; [205503]
(2) whether the UK Central Authority passes on information it holds to the relevant authorities when individuals apply for jobs working (a) as security guards in Government buildings and departments, (b) as police community support officers, (c) in the Passport Service, (d) in the UK Border Agency, (e) in her Department, (f) in the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, (g) in the Police Service as (i) civilian support and (ii) warranted constables, (h) in the Criminal Records Bureau, (i) for the Greater London Authority, (j) in local authority children's services departments, (k) in local authority finance departments, (l) in local authority electoral administration offices, (m) in local authority social services departments, (n) in the Pension Service, (o) in the Criminal Cases Review Commission, (p) in the Prison Service, (q) in the Court Service and (r) in the Crown Prosecution Service. [206852]
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which her Department is responsible have been (a) investigated and (b) upheld in the last 12 months. [236896]
Mr. Woolas: During the last 12 months (for the period 1 November 2007 to 31 October 2008) the Home Office, including the UK Border Agency, the Identity and Passport Service and the Criminal Records Bureau, received fewer than five official complaints of racial discrimination or racial harassment from staff against their colleagues (racial abuse is not a category within the Home Office Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination policy). Further information is therefore withheld on grounds of confidentiality. All employees have a duty to respect the dignity of others at work, be mindful of the effect their behaviour may have on colleagues, and ensure their own conduct does not breach the provisions of the Home Office bullying, harassment and discrimination policy.
Under the policy, line managers are responsible for maintaining a workplace that is free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, confronting unacceptable behaviour wherever it arises.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who sits on the Rape Performance Group; on how many occasions it has met since its creation; what advice it has provided to the Government; and what action the Government has taken on the basis of its advice. [238431]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to the rt hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of allegations of rape made to the police in England and Wales in each of the last two years were later withdrawn by the individual; how many and what percentage of alleged rape cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service were not prosecuted for lack of evidence; and how many and what percentage of cases brought to prosecution resulted in conviction. [237393]
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in her Department left under (a) involuntary and (b) voluntary staff exit schemes in each year since 2005-06; how many of them in each case were paid (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000 in the year before they left; and how much (A) was spent in each of those years and (B) is planned to be spent on such schemes in (1) 2008-09 and (2) 2009-10 by (Y) her Department and (Z) each of her Department's agencies. [237350]
Mr. Woolas: Central information held on early departure exit schemes does not distinguish between those who were compelled to leave the Department involuntarily on compulsory redundancy terms, and those who wished to leave voluntarily on similar terms and not subject to the Department's formal redundancy procedure.
The following table shows the number of early departures from the Home
| Table 1 | |||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
A more detailed breakdown, including distinguishing between Home Office Headquarters and the UK Border Agency, and to assess which cost band each individual would fall, could be obtained only by running additional, tailored, reports that would incur disproportionate cost.
Costs of provisions made for early departures are published each year in the Home Office Consolidated Resource Accounts. The following table shows the provisions made each financial year, for the full costs of new early departures from 2005-06:
Note that the cost figures above include any early departures which may have arisen in the Office of Criminal Justice Reform and National Offender Management Service that were part of the Home Office until May 2007. They are now part of the Ministry of Justice.
The Home Office HQ has budgeted £2 million, and IPS a further £94,000, for early departure provision for 2008-09. There is no planned provision for 2008-09 within UKBA and CRB at this stage. Budgets have not been finalised for 2009-10.
Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of her Department's staff who left under (a) an involuntary and (b) a voluntary exit scheme in each year since 2005-06 received a severance package of (i) up to £25,000, (ii) £25,001 to £50,000, (iii) £50,001 to £75,000, (iv) £75,001 to £100,000 and (v) over £100,000; and if she will make a statement. [239156]
Mr. Woolas: Central information held on Early Departure exit schemes does not distinguish between those who were compelled to leave the Department involuntarily on compulsory redundancy terms, and those who wished to leave voluntarily on similar terms and not subject to the Department's formal redundancy procedure.
The following table shows the number of early departures from the Home Office and its agencies by financial year since 2005-06:
| Table 1 | |||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | |
A more detailed breakdown, including distinguishing between Home Office Headquarters and the UK Border Agency, and to assess which cost band each individual would fall, could only be obtained by running additional, tailored, reports that would incur disproportionate cost.
Costs of provisions made for early departures are published each year in the Home Office Consolidated Resource Accounts. The following table shows the provisions made each financial year, for the full costs of new Early Departures from 2005- 06:
Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many warrants were issued for the arrest of those in breach of sentencing conditions in each of the last five years. [239244]
Maria Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
The following table shows the number of revocation orders issued in respect of those offenders who, while in the community, have breached the conditions of their licence for each of the last five years.
| Financial year | Determinate revocation orders issued | Home detention curfew revocation orders issued | Indeterminate revocation orders issued |
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2294W—continued
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) arrests and (b) convictions there have been of (i) men and (ii) women of each ethnicity in each region for sexually exploiting young people in each year since 2000; and if she will make a statement. [237281]
Mr. Alan Campbell: The information requested is not available.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many weapons the UK Border Agency prevented from entering the UK in 2007-08. [227245]
Jacqui Smith [holding answer 15 October 2008]: The UK Border Agency was not formed in the financial year to which the question relates, therefore cannot provide the required information.
Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on services, broken down by type, in (a) Dartford Borough, (b) Kent Thameside, (c) the Thames Gateway, (d) Kent County Council area and (e) the South East region in each of the last five years. [222454]
Mr. Woolas: It is not possible to state exactly how much is spent on each service in each area. From April 2008 local authorities and their partners have greater flexibility, through Area Based Grant (“ABG”), to use central Government funding as they see fit to support the delivery of local, regional and national priorities in their areas. ABG is committed on a three year basis to provide stability and certainty for the receiving authorities.
The Home Office is signed up to these new funding arrangements, which were contained in the 2006 Local Government White Paper “strong and prosperous communities”. The Home Office also gave a public commitment in the Home Office Reform Plan to
“use the Local Area Agreement framework to join up our funding streams and simplify performance management systems for the front line”.
The annual Home Office contribution to ABG in each of the CSR07 years will be £76.5 million (resource)—in flat cash terms—comprising £61.1 million in respect of the Safer and Stronger Communities Fund and £15.4 million in respect of the Young People Substance Misuse Partnership Grant.
The capital element of SSCF will be paid to local authorities as non ring-fenced capital grant directly by the Home Office rather than through DCLG.
Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2008, Official Report, column 269W, on speed limits: motorcycles, whether the ability to read rear licence plates on motorcycles is a requirement of the type approval process for average speed cameras. [239363]
Mr. Alan Campbell: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many street pedlar licences were issued by the police in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [230779]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 27 October 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many e-mails and other electronic communications data were sent in the UK in each of the last three years; how many were monitored by the authorities in each year; and how many were found to be relevant to (a) terrorist activity and (b) crime in each year. [225870]
Mr. Coaker [holding answer 13 October 2008]: I will write to my right hon. Friend.
David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people suspected of offences under anti-terrorism legislation were held for more than 14 days before being charged in the last three years. [235537]
Mr. Coaker [holding answer 13 November 2008]: The maximum 28 day period of pre-charge detention came into force on 25 July 2006 and statistics are collated from this date. From 25 July 2006, to date 11 individuals have been held for over 14 days in pre-charge detention. Of these 11, eight individuals were charged, three were released without charge. The statistics are shown in the following table:
| Period of detention (days) | Number of persons held | Charged | Released w/o charge |
Mr. Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the level of injuries and financial damage to property resulting from the 7th July 2005 terrorist attacks in London. [164833]
Mr. Coaker [holding answer 15 November 2008]: I will write to the hon. Member.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate her Department has made of the effect on its levels of fee income from passports, visas and other immigration documents and services paid for by (a) British and (b) foreign nationals of the economic downturn; and what contingency plans her Department has made. [227531]
Mr. Woolas: The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) and UK Border Agency (UKBA) are the two Home Office service providers for passports, visas and other immigration document and services.
IPS monitors passport demand on a daily basis. In the 2008-09 financial year to date, demand and associated fee income have been at just outside the 5 per cent. forecast tolerance levels used by IPS for management purposes. Demand and income levels have not been formally re-forecast at this time but the situation will continue to be monitored closely.
UKBA regularly reviews its estimates of fee income from migrant applications.
Such reviews appraise a wide range of factors including the broader economic conditions and policy changes impacting application numbers. However, estimating the specific impact of, for example, an economic downturn is highly complex and depends not just on the scale of any downturn in the UK but also its scale in relation to the performance of other competitor economies.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were investigated by the Complaints Audit Committee of the UK Border Agency and its predecessor in each of the last three years. [238866]
Jacqui Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the budget for the Complaints Audit Committee of the UK Border Agency and its predecessor was in each of the last three years. [238868]
Jacqui Smith: The budget for the Complaints Audit Committee was £107,883 in each of the last three years.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the UK Border Agency's budget for 2008-09 is expected to be spent (a) in the UK and (b) in each other country in which it operates. [227499]
Mr. Woolas: The only part of the UK Border Agency that spends outside of the United Kingdom is UK Visa's and the detail of its spending is currently subject to a confirmation process as a part of the Machinery of Government change process.
The UK Border Agency incurs some operational costs related to border activities outside of the United Kingdom but the budget (and spend) is internal to the United Kingdom.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the objectives of the Independent Inspectorate of the UK Border Agency are; [238869]
(2) when the Independent Inspectorate of the UK Border Agency plans to issue its first report; [238870]
(3) what the budget for the Independent Inspectorate of the UK Border Agency is for (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [238871]
Jacqui Smith: The Chief Inspector’s role is to monitor and report on the efficiency and effectiveness of the UK Border Agency. Section 48 of the Borders Act 2007 sets out a number of particular functions of the agency he should consider and make recommendations about. He will report to the Secretary of State once a calendar year in relation to these functions and at other times as requested by the Secretary of State. I expect him to issue his first annual report after the end of the current financial year. The Chief Inspector is working to a provisional budget of £0.8 million for this financial year, excluding his accommodation costs. His budget for 2009-10 and a provisional budget for 2010-11 will be set before the start of the next financial year.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bolton South East of 12 November 2008, Official Report, column 1219W, on UK Border Agency: lost property, how much compensation has been paid to applicants where the UK Border Agency and its predecessors have accepted that they have misplaced or lost documents in each of the last five years. [238796]
Jacqui Smith: The information is not held in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bolton South East of 12 November 2008, Official Report, column 1219W, on UK Border Agency: lost property, how many principal files the UK Border Agency and its predecessors recorded as lost in each of the last five years. [238797]
Jacqui Smith: The information is not available in the format requested.
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK Border Agency (UKBA) enforcement operations have taken place on Saturdays or Sundays in each month of 2008, broken down by each region of the UKBA. [209085]
Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of violence against the person were recorded (a) in total and (b) per 1,000 population in (i) England, (ii) the Kent Constabulary area and (iii) Ashford constituency in each year from 1997 to 2008. [236877]
Mr. Tom Clarke:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham of 14 October 2008, Official
Report, column 1072W, on crimes against humanity, how many people who have been suspected by the war crimes team of involvement in crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide are in the UK. [238493]
Mr. Woolas: The information requested could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual case records, or by undertaking further inquiries, at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance her Department has issued on the implications for security of the provision of refuse bins in public places. [235018]
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will meet members of the Police Federation from West Mercia Constabulary to discuss pay issues. [179748]
Mr. Coaker: I have discussed pay issues with the police staff associations, including the Police Federation, in the past and will continue to do so. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has met with those of her constituents who wished to see her to discuss police officer pay in her capacity as their local MP.
Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to answer question (a) 202221, (b) 202222, (c) 202224 and (d) 202223 on immigration procedures and Mrs. Hina Sajid, tabled on 23 April 2008; and if she will make a statement. [204619]
Mr. Woolas [holding answer 9 May 2008]: Questions 202221 and 202223 were answered on 21 July 2008, Official Report, columns 962-63W. I responded to the remaining two questions on 25 November 2008. At the time of answering, Official Report references for these are not yet available.
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to answer Question 165737, on self-protection measures for the Jewish community, tabled on 14 November 2007 by the hon. Member for Southend West; what the reason for the time taken to reply is; what steps she (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to answer written Parliamentary Questions within a working week of them being tabled; and if she will make a statement. [222359]
Mr. Alan Campbell: I will write to the hon. Member.
Lynne Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answers of 1 September 2008, Official Report, (a) column 1574W, on the National Identity Scheme Commissioner: finance and (b) column 1568W, on identity cards:
finance, when she plans to provide answers to questions 220246, 220293, 219766, 219785, 219763, 219761, 220294, 219754, 219765, 219771, 219794, 219764, 219762, 219756, 219757, 219768 and 219770 on the identity cards scheme tabled by the hon. Member for Birmingham Selly Oak on 14 and 15 July 2008. [224277]
Meg Hillier [holding answer 17 September 2008]: I replied to the hon. Member on the following dates:
Question 220246 was answered on 6 October 2008, Official Report, columns 145-46W.
26 Nov 2008 : Column 2300W—continued
Question 219766 was answered on 21 November 2008, Official Report, 483 columns 724-25W.
Question 219785 was answered on 15 September 2008, Official Report, column 2071W.
Question 219761 was answered on 6 October 2008, Official Report, columns 144-45W.
Question 220294 was answered on 25 November 2008, Official Report, column 1254W.
Question 219754 was answered on 15 September 2008, Official Report, columns 2067-68W.
Question 219765 was answered on 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 53W.
Question 219771 was answered on 6 October 2008, Official Report, columns 143-44W.
Question 219764 was answered on 17 November 2008, Official Report, column 52W.
Question 219762 was answered on 17th November 2008, Official Report, column 52W.
Question 219756 was answered on 20th November 2008, Official Report, 724W.
Question 219770 was answered on 6 October 2008, Official Report, columns 143-44W.
Questions 220293, 219763, 219794, 219757 and 219768 were answered on 26 November. At the time of answering the Official Report references for these are yet to be available.
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to answer question 177471, tabled on 7 January 2008, on the cost of asylum support and accommodation. [226978]
Mr. Woolas: I responded to question 177471 today.
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to answer Question (a) 203249 on pilot schemes tabled on 28th April 2008 and (b) 194334 on Ministerial taskforces and action groups tabled on 11th March 2008. [230572]
Mr. Woolas: Question 203249 was answered on 10 November 2008, Official Report, column 794W. I responded to the remaining question on 26 November 2008. At the time of answering the Official Report reference for this is not yet available.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 219351, tabled on 14th July 2008, on the threat posed to UK security by Hizb ut-Tahrir. [233974]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. and learned Member's question on 25 November 2008, Official Report , column 1253W.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 219357, tabled on 14th July 2008, on the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking; and if she will make a statement. [233975]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. and learned Member's question on 25 November 2008, Official Report, column 1253W.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to question 221501, tabled on 17 July 2008, on CCTV in Central Newcastle. [233976]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member's question on 25 November 2008, Official Report, column 1240W.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 224470, tabled on 3rd October 2008, on police officer resignations. [238443]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon and learned Member on 25 November 2008, Official Report, column 1260W.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to question 225219, tabled on 3 October 2008, on Home Office contracts with PA Consulting. [238444]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Gentleman on 24 November 2008, Official Report, column 826W.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to (1) Question 227226, tabled on 10 October 2008, on the National Identity Scheme Tracking Research; [238544]
(2) Question 227224, tabled on 10 October 2008, on responses to the National Identity Scheme Tracking Research; [238621]
(3) Question 227225, tabled on 10 October 2008, on respondents to the National Identity Scheme Tracking Research. [238624]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 19 November 2008, Official Report, columns 588-89W.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 227220, tabled on 10 October 2008, on DNA profiles. [238545]
Jacqui Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 226401, tabled on 8 October 2008, on biometric information. [238546]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 26 November. At the time of answering the Official Report reference is not available.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to question 226404, tabled on 8 October 2008, on the Identity Card Scheme Cost Report. [238547]
Jacqui Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 226403, tabled on 8 October 2008, on fingerprints for workers employed in sensitive locations applying for identity cards. [238548]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 20 November 2008, Official Report, column 724W.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 226402, tabled on 8 October 2008, on identity cards for British citizens under the age of 16 years. [238549]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 20 November 2008, Official Report, column 725W.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to question 227246, tabled on 10 October 2008, on people attempting to cross the English Channel illegally. [238560]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 26 November. At the time of answering the Official Report reference was not available.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to question 227245, tabled on 10 October 2008, on weapons prevented from entering the UK. [238620]
Jacqui Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 26 November. At the time answering the Official Report reference is not available.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to Question 226409, tabled on 8 October 2008, on identify cards. [238623]
Jacqui Smith: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Departments are involved in the prevention of youth crime; and what the role of each is in this respect. [236518]
Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) initiatives, (b) objectives, (c) results and (d) costs were of the youth crime prevention programmes sponsored by her Department which have been implemented in the last five years. [236855]